Bissara( Fava Soup ) -

Bissara
( Fava Soup )

This is a poor man's soup, to be made when there is not enough money around to buy meat. Flavorful and substantial, the soup is served with generous quantities of day-old bread and is considered to be the entire meal.

Ingredients

1 lb skinless, dried fava beans
4 cups water
2 tablespoons corn oil
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 teaspoons harissa (see basic recipes)
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, ground
Lemon wedges

Details

Serves: 5

Method

Cook the fava beans in the water in a covered pan over moderate heat for about 1 hour, or until soft. Add more water (½ cup) should liquid evaporate too quickly. Mash the beans coarsely in pan. (This is not a puree.)


Add oil, salt, harissa, and cumin seed then simmer slowly over low heat for 20 mins. Serve hot with lemon wedges and an extra plate of harissa.

Related food category:

• Soup