Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs
A classic Ethiopian-inspired breakfast of tender fava beans seasoned with garlic and lemon, topped with soft-boiled eggs. This african-inspired breakfast ready in about 110 minutes combines dried fava beans, water, minced garlic cloves into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried fava beans
- 4 cups water
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried fava beans and soak in water overnight (8-12 hours). Drain and rinse again.
- Step 2: Place soaked fava beans in a large pot with 4 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours until beans are tender.
- Step 3: While beans cook, place 4 large eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for exactly 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs. Immediately transfer eggs to ice water to stop cooking.
- Step 4: When beans are tender, drain most of the water leaving about 1/2 cup with the beans and mash slightly with a spoon.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring until fragrant and heated through.
- Step 6: Peel the soft-boiled eggs and halve them.
- Step 7: Serve the warm ful medames topped with the halved eggs and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs take to make?
Total time is about 110 minutes (15 min prep + 95 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fava Bean Ful Medames with Soft-Boiled Eggs?
African breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
