Bissara (Fava Bean Soup)
This creamy and comforting Moroccan fava bean soup is a simple yet flavorful dish. Dried fava beans are simmered until tender, then blended with garlic, olive oil, and spices. It's traditionally served with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 186 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 250 gdried fava bean, split, peeled
- 1,000 mlwater
- 4 clovegarlic, minced
- 1 tspcumin, ground
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, ground
for cooking
- 2 tbspolive oil
for garnish
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 0.5 tsppaprika(optional)
- 0.25 tspcayenne pepper(optional)
Equipment
ladle · blender · large pot
The method
Step by step
- 1
Rinse the dried fava beans thoroughly under cold water.
About 1 min
- 2
Combine the rinsed fava beans and water in a large pot or Dutch oven.
About 1 min
- 3
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the fava beans are very tender.
About 1 hr
Cook’s note: Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the initial boiling.
- 4
Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and cooking olive oil to the pot.
About 1 min
- 5
Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
About 15 min
- 6
Carefully transfer the soup mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: If using a regular blender, work in batches and do not overfill. Remove the center cap of the lid and cover with a kitchen towel to allow steam to escape.
- 7
Blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a little extra hot water until it reaches your desired consistency.
About 2 min
- 8
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
About 1 min
- 9
Ladle the hot bissara into bowls.
About 1 min
- 10
Drizzle each serving with the garnish olive oil and sprinkle with paprika and cayenne pepper, if using.
Cook’s note: Serve immediately with crusty bread.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 185.8kcal
- Protein
- 4.9g
- Carbs
- 12.3g
- Fat
- 14.1g
- Fibre
- 3.5g
- Sugar
- 1.2g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover bissara in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to adjust consistency.
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