Mediterranean Fava Bean Delight
Experience the rich and comforting flavors of the Mediterranean with this delightful Fava Bean Soup, also known as Ful Nabed. This savory, aromatic soup is filled with wholesome ingredients like sweet onions, carrots, and tender fava beans, all simmered to perfection in a fragrant broth infused with spices and herbs. Perfect as a light meal or as a starter, it captivates your senses with its vibrant texture and fresh taste. Top it off with a splash of zesty lemon juice and a garnish of mint leaves for a refreshing finish. Share this heartwarming dish with family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet onion
1 large (chopped)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons
Carrot
1 cup (chopped)
Garlic
3 cloves (minced)
Cumin seeds
1 teaspoon
Diced tomatoes
1 cup (with juice, if canned)
Vegetable or chicken broth
4 cups
Sweet paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons
Cayenne pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves
2
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Italian parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons
Cooked fava beans
2 cups (rinsed and drained if canned)
Fresh mint leaves
to garnish
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the chopped carrots, minced garlic, and cumin seeds. Continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to release their flavors.
3
Add the diced tomatoes along with their juice (if using canned), and pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Stir in the sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
4
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
5
Once the carrots are cooked, remove the bay leaves and stir in the chopped Italian parsley, fresh lemon juice, and rinsed fava beans. Heat gently for an additional 5 minutes to warm the beans without overcooking them.
6
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty and nutritious dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Fava Bean Delight?
Mediterranean Fava Bean Delight, also known as Ful Nabed, is a savory and aromatic soup made with fava beans, vegetables, and Mediterranean spices.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include sweet onion, carrots, garlic, cumin seeds, diced tomatoes, fava beans, and a blend of spices like paprika and cayenne.
Is this fava bean soup suitable for vegans?
Yes, if you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, this recipe is completely vegan-friendly.
How many cloves of garlic are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves to provide a rich, savory flavor.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are recommended for sautéing the onions and vegetables.
How long should I cook the onions?
You should sauté the chopped sweet onion for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft.
What type of fava beans are used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of cooked fava beans; if using canned, ensure they are rinsed and drained.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
Should the bay leaves be left in the soup when serving?
No, you should remove the two bay leaves after the soup has finished simmering and before adding the fava beans.
What spices give the soup its flavor profile?
The flavor comes from a combination of cumin seeds, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper.
How much broth is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 cups of either vegetable or chicken broth.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
Fresh mint leaves are used as a garnish to provide a refreshing finish to the warm soup.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use 1 cup of diced tomatoes; if using canned, include the juice for extra flavor.
When do I add the lemon juice?
Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice at the very end, along with the parsley and fava beans.
Is this soup considered spicy?
It has a mild kick from 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, but it is generally savory and aromatic rather than very hot.
What is the best type of parsley to use?
The recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of chopped Italian parsley.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped carrots.
What role do cumin seeds play in the recipe?
Cumin seeds are sautéed with the vegetables to release their earthy and warm aromatic oils.
Is this dish suitable for a light meal?
Yes, it is described as a hearty and nutritious dish that is perfect as a light meal or a starter.
Do I need to cook the fava beans before starting the soup?
The recipe assumes you are using pre-cooked or canned fava beans, as they are added at the end just to be warmed through.
How much salt is in the Mediterranean Fava Bean Delight?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, though you can adjust to taste.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients in total, including the fresh mint garnish.
What kind of onion is specified?
A large sweet onion is specified for its mild and slightly sugary flavor profile.
How should I prepare the carrots?
The carrots should be chopped into bite-sized pieces before being added to the pot.
Can I substitute the Italian parsley?
While Italian parsley is recommended for its flavor, curly parsley or cilantro could be used as alternatives depending on your preference.
How long do I heat the soup after adding the beans?
Heat the soup gently for an additional 5 minutes once the beans are added to ensure they are warm.
Is there any sugar added to this recipe?
No, there is no added sugar; the sweetness comes naturally from the sweet onion and carrots.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a Mediterranean clear soup, specifically a spiced vegetable and bean soup.
Can I use ground cumin instead of seeds?
Yes, though cumin seeds provide a more traditional texture and burst of flavor, ground cumin can be substituted.
How should this soup be served?
It should be served warm in bowls, garnished with fresh mint, and shared with friends or family.