Ful Medames

Ful medames is slow-cooked fava beans finished with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and cumin; the Ethiopian version is typically spiced more assertively than the Egyptian, often with berbere or chilli. The dominant flavours are earthy legume, sharp citrus acid, and warm spice. The olive oil adds a gentle fat layer without the richness of niter kibbeh, and the lemon makes the dish genuinely acid-bright.