How to make Foul, Balila, Mssabaha – Beans & Chickpeas

How to make Foul, Balila, Mssabaha – Beans & Chickpeas

Foul, Balila, or Mssabaha, is one of the most popular dishes in Lebanon. Most people eat Foul for breakfast. However, you can also eat it for brunch or lunch. The dish originated in Egypt and spread throughout other countries in the Middle East.

Although each country has its own way of making fouls, nothing matches the deliciousness of beans and chickpeas in Lebanon. So, whether you are a local or tourist, you will find this dish in almost all breakfast establishments across Lebanon. In addition, it is a healthy dish rich in essential nutrients.

These include carbohydrates, proteins, saturated fat, potassium, fiber, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. So, Foul is delicious, but at the same time, it improves your overall health and increases your energy levels. Here is the list of ingredients and the step-by-step instructions to make Foul. Read on!

Ingredients

  • Three 14-ounce canned fava beans
  • One 15-ounce canned chickpeas
  • Five clove garlic
  • One lemon
  • Two tablespoons of tahini paste
  • One teaspoon of ground cumin
  • One teaspoon of salt
  • ½ bunch of parsley
  • One tomato
  • Olive Oil as needed

Instructions

  1. Put fava beans in a large pot.
  2. Wash, drain and rinse chickpeas
  3. Add chickpeas to the pot with fava beans
  4. Cook for ten minutes at a medium temperature
  5. Crush the garlic clove and add a half teaspoon of salt and lemon juice
  6. Put the cooked fava beans and chickpeas into a bowl
  7. Mash the fava beans and chickpeas using a mortar
  8. Make sure these two items are about ½ and ¾ of the mashed mixture
  9. Add cumin, tahini paste, salt, lemon juice, and crushed garlic
  10. Mix these ingredients and then add ½ teaspoon of hot pepper or cayenne pepper
  11. Chop the parsley leaves and tomatoes and then set them aside for serving
  12. Sprinkle chopped tomatoes and parsley on the foul
  13. Drizzle the dish with olive oil
  14. Serve the delicious foul to your family and friends