Fava Beans - Ful m'dammas

Ideal as a starter, side dish or a light snack.

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned fava beans, drained and rinsed
  
• juice of one lemon
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed or not, minced
• salt
• 1/3 cup parsley, chopped

Method

Place fava benas in large pot and add two cups of water. Bring to boil and cook for 15 - 30 minutes or longer (up to an hour) until very soft.

Drain all but 1/2 cup of water off the beans.

Mash garlic, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil and salt.

Slightly mash the fava beans, leaving some beans whole. Add half the garlic sauce and mash in. Transfer to serving dish and top with remaining sauce.

Garnish with chopped parsley.

May be served warm or at room temperature.

Serve with bread or crackers.

Can add chopped tomatoes on top, and olive oil.

Canned beans are convenient. If you want to use dried beans, soak for 24 hours in water, then boil until very soft as above.