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Fava bean soup: Broad bean and vegetables

Fava bean soup (broad bean soup or Ful Nabed) with vegetables and tomatoes in white bowl.

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Fava bean soup (broad beans) is flavored with what you’d expect from Egyptian Ful Nabed – cumin, smoked paprika, mint, parsley and lemon. Yummy detoxing!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tsp. cumin seeds
  • 1 lg. onion diced 1 1/2 cups
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (1 cup)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced small (2 cups)
  • 6 cups vegetable stock or 6 cups water plus veggie stock cubes
  • 3 cups cooked fava beans (broad beans), frozen or canned
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon (try to use organic lemon as we will use the zest)
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley (the curly kind will work too)

Instructions

  1. Heat a medium soup pot and add 2 tsp. cumin seeds. Toast the seeds for 1 minute until they start to release their aromas. Be careful not to let them burn.
  2. Add the onions, carrots and celery and saute for 5 minutes to soften. Add water a tablespoon at a time if the vegetables start to stick.
  3. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika, 2 bay leaves and 2 cups diced tomatoes. Stir everything well and cook for about 5 minutes to help the tomatoes break down.
  4. Add 6 cups of vegetable broth and 3 cups fava (broad) beans and bring the pot to a gentle boil. Cut the heat down to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
  5. Mix in ½ tsp. cayenne pepper, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp. chopped mint leaves and ¼ cup chopped parsley. Cook for another 3 minutes.
  6. Serve it up!

Notes

  • This easy soup can also be made with chickpeas or other beans such as kidney or even black beans. Likewise, you can also add a grain such as quinoa, bulgur or rice.
  • If you use a hot smoked paprika, then be mindful if you use cayenne at the end. You can always serve this soup up with crushed red chili flakes at the table for you spice lovers.
  • In a pinch, I’ve used prepared lemon juice (yes, I admit it). Because you won’t have the zest in this case, use ½ cup of lemon juice and then test for flavor.

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