We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Where have fava beans been all my life? YUM!!

CynthiasChoice
CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I just harvested my first fava beans (green.) I'd never eaten them before, but just planted them because they're good for the garden soil.

I shelled them, blanched them for a few minutes, popped them out of their little skins and they're my new favarite thing!! I love them - great for snacking especially if you want to eat slowly.

I read about how to prepare them here: http://www.affairsofliving.com/imported-20100106014405/2010/4/13/how-to-cook-fresh-fava-beans.html Now I want to look further at this web site. It looks intriguing.

Replies

  • sweettthings
    sweettthings Posts: 157 Member
    I buy them whenever I see them at the farmer's market. I wish they weren't such a pain in the butt to cook, because they are tasty!
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    I'm thinking they'll be great for those times when everyone else is munching and we're watching a movie. I can sit there, happily shelling favas. Keeping my hands busy prevents me from feeling so deprived.
  • fairestthings
    fairestthings Posts: 335 Member
    I'm not sure what your preference is in food, but I just discovered fava beans as a means to make a traditional/common Egyptian breakfast/lunch food called "Ful Medames". You should try it if you like the taste of those beans in particular.

    Ful Medames is very healthy :) Calorie dense and will also sit in your stomach almost like a rock. If you have cravings, they will go away because you will not want to eat anything!!

    Here's a traditional recipe: http://shahiya.com/english/recipes/traditional-ful-medames-276
  • rainydaze613
    rainydaze613 Posts: 112 Member
    Weird- I just ate some! We've always eaten the dry roasted ones as a snack when I was younger, but I haven't gotten to appreciate the goodness of this bean until recently xP
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    I'm not sure what your preference is in food, but I just discovered fava beans as a means to make a traditional/common Egyptian breakfast/lunch food called "Ful Medames". You should try it if you like the taste of those beans in particular.

    Ful Medames is very healthy :) Calorie dense and will also sit in your stomach almost like a rock. If you have cravings, they will go away because you will not want to eat anything!!

    Here's a traditional recipe: http://shahiya.com/english/recipes/traditional-ful-medames-276

    Thanks for sharing this. I just looked at the recipe and would definitely eat this for lunch or dinner.
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    Weird- I just ate some! We've always eaten the dry roasted ones as a snack when I was younger, but I haven't gotten to appreciate the goodness of this bean until recently xP

    Did your mom make the dry roasted beans, or did you buy them? I'd really love to find a recipe.
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    Anyone else have favorite fava bean recipes?
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    The Ful Medames recipe for Fava Beans is delicious - thank you!

    You make a dressing for the beans using olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, parsley, and salt. It's yummy with fava's, and I can't wait to try it on other foods as well. Maybe raw cauliflower or cucumber...
  • fairestthings
    fairestthings Posts: 335 Member
    The Ful Medames recipe for Fava Beans is delicious - thank you!

    You make a dressing for the beans using olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, parsley, and salt. It's yummy with fava's, and I can't wait to try it on other foods as well. Maybe raw cauliflower or cucumber...

    :D You're most welcome! We don't add any dressings to it, we don't add dressing to our hummus either.

    This homemade authentic hummus is only about 45 calories per serving (2 TBS - which is PLENTY for a good snack with 14 baby carrots): http://desertcandy.blogspot.com/2007/07/hummus-dilettante.html
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    Thanks, BrittMassey. I like only one store bought hummus - the one by Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine. It has less tahini than others, so it's lower in fat and calories. But now I want to try making my own. What a great web site! Very informative and entertaining too. Thanks for sharing.:smile:
  • wahchile
    wahchile Posts: 19
    I like them with some liver and a nice chianti.
  • fairestthings
    fairestthings Posts: 335 Member
    Thanks, BrittMassey. I like only one store bought hummus - the one by Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine. It has less tahini than others, so it's lower in fat and calories. But now I want to try making my own. What a great web site! Very informative and entertaining too. Thanks for sharing.:smile:

    No problem! I loooooooove cooking and am currently obsessed with traditional and authentic Mediterranean food.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories