🇪🇬 Egypt · Food
Foul Iskandarani (Alexandrian Fava Beans)
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇪🇬 EGA vibrant and textural breakfast dish from Alexandria, featuring creamy fava beans sautéed with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables. It is best enjoyed hot with fresh baladi bread.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat and sauté the finely diced onions until they turn golden brown.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and chopped green chili, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant; be careful not to let the garlic burn.
- 3
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they begin to break down into a rustic sauce.
- 4
Add the cooked fava beans to the pan along with the cumin and a splash of water, stirring gently to combine the ingredients.
- 5
Use a fork or masher to crush about one-third of the beans directly in the pan, which helps thicken the sauce to a creamy consistency.
- 6
Simmer everything together for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, and adjust the salt level according to your preference.
- 7
Remove from heat and finish with a generous drizzle of the remaining olive oil to add richness.
- 8
Serve immediately in a shallow bowl with extra fresh chopped parsley and a wedge of lemon on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use canned or dried fava beans?+
Dried fava beans are traditional if cooked long enough, but canned are perfectly acceptable for a quick, authentic result.
Can I make this spicy?+
Yes, simply increase the amount of green chili or add a pinch of red chili flakes to the onion base.
Do I need to peel the beans?+
It is not strictly necessary for Alexandrian style, but peeling them does create a much creamier, smoother texture.
What is the best bread to pair with this?+
Warm Egyptian baladi bread or a light pita bread are the best vessels for scooping up this dish.
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