Bissara Fava Bean Puree

Savor the rich and earthy flavors of Bissara, a traditional fava bean puree that’s a staple in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines. This comforting dish combines tender, simmered dried fava beans with aromatic garlic, warm spices like cumin, paprika, and turmeric, and a luscious drizzle of olive oil. Perfectly creamy and seasoned to perfection, Bissara is simple yet deeply satisfying, making it an ideal choice for a healthy vegan meal or appetizer. Garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro and a splash of zesty lemon juice, it pairs wonderfully with warm pita bread or crunchy veggies for dipping. With minimal prep and wholesome ingredients, this hearty dish delivers bold flavors while being effortlessly easy to make at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams dried fava beans
• 4 units garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
• 4 units lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
• 1.5 liters water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried fava beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the fava beans with 1.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to medium and skim off any foam that forms on the surface.

Step 4

Add the garlic cloves, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and black pepper to the pot.

Step 5

Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for about 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fava beans are tender and begin to break down. Add more water if needed to prevent sticking.

Step 6

Once the beans are fully cooked and soft, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture to a standard blender in batches and puree until smooth, then return it to the pot.

Step 7

Stir in half of the olive oil and adjust seasoning to taste with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve the Bissara hot in bowls, drizzled with the remaining olive oil. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve with lemon wedges for an optional citrusy kick.

Step 9

Enjoy your flavorful and comforting Bissara Fava Bean Puree with warm pita bread or as a dip!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	125.7 grams (125.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	546

Total Fat 57.30g	73%
Saturated Fat 8.80g	44%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 13mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 9.10g	3%
Dietary Fiber 2.80g	10%
Total Sugars 1.80g
Protein 1.60g	3%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 64mg	5%
Iron 5mg	26%
Potassium 217mg	5%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 92.3%

Protein: 1.1%

Carbs: 6.5%