Lebanese Rice with Fava Beans (Riz bil-foul)

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice
• 1 cup (200g) dried fava beans, soaked overnight 1 cup (200g) dried fava beans, soaked overnight
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the soaked fava beans and drain them.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
3. 3.
   Add the soaked fava beans to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   Add the rice, cumin, cinnamon, and salt to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. 5.
   Pour in enough water to cover the rice and beans by about an inch.
6. 6.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the fava beans are tender.
7. 7.
   Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for a few minutes.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fava beans — Make sure to soak the dried fava beans overnight to soften them before cooking. This will ensure they become tender and creamy when cooked.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sauté the rice in olive oil before adding the water and other ingredients.
• Serve the dish with a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy twist.
• If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• You can also add some toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for a crunchy texture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, either cold or reheated.

Serving advice

Serve the Lebanese Rice with Fava Beans as a main course, accompanied by a fresh salad or a side of yogurt. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can mold the rice and fava beans into a round shape using a small bowl or ramekin. Invert it onto the serving plate and garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley.