Besara - Egyptian Fava Bean Dip

Ingredients

• Dried fava beans (1 cup)
• Water (4 cups (for cooking))
• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
• Salt (1 teaspoon (or to taste))
• Ground coriander (1 teaspoon)
• Ground cumin (1 teaspoon)
• Fresh parsley (1/4 cup, chopped)
• Fresh cilantro (1/4 cup, chopped)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1 medium, chopped)
• Olive oil (for drizzling (optional))
• Paprika (for garnish (optional))

Instructions

1. Soak the dried fava beans in plenty of water overnight. This softens them and reduces cooking time. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.
2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the soaked fava beans, chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, and salt to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes or until the fava beans are tender.
5. Using a blender or immersion blender, carefully puree the mixture until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend less.
6. Return the pureed mixture to the pot and simmer over low heat for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika for an extra touch of flavor. Enjoy with rice, pita bread, or fresh vegetables.