Couscous with fava beans is called Taam Bel Foul or Mesfouf Bel Foul in Algeria or Kabyle Seksu Alaghmoudh or Seksu Sivawen and French couscous aux fèves. The add of green peas to the couscous and fava beans makes this dish extra healthy and in this case, the dish is called Taam Bel Foul W’Ldjebana or Mesfouf Bel Foul W’Ldjelbana.
In Algeria the young tender fava beans pods are edible. There are obviously several recipes with fava beans with pods. In this recipe the fava beans and pods are cut small, washed and steamed with green peas until tender and completely cooked.
Once cooked, they are mixed with a cooked couscous and drizzled generously with extra virgin olive oil.
This dish is served with a cup of buttermilk or curdled milk.
We usually don’t measure anything while making this dish. We just put the amount of vegetables and couscous that we want. If you like more couscous, add more. If you like more vegetables in this dish, then add more to your liking. Please see video here: https://youtu.be/ntNAZwkIdnY
First, prepare the couscous
https://www.myexcellentdegustations.com/how-to-prepare-a-fluffy-couscous/
Second, prepare the fava beans in pods.
Cut the fava beans in pods into small pieces with hands or use a knife for that.
If you come across a hard pod, just unzip the seam of the pod. Open the pod and remove the beans then discard that hard pod.
Third, wash the small pieces of fava beans with pods
Addgreen peas and about 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well with hands.
Fourth, steam the pieces of fava beans with pods and the green peas
Place the top of the steamer with fava beans and green peas on a pot of boiling water and steam until they are tender and cooked.
Check the seasoning at the end of cooking and add salt if needed.
Cover the vegetables with cooked couscous and let steam for about 15 minutes, just to warm up the couscous.
Mix the vegetables with couscous
Add olive oil generously if you like it that way and serve with buttermilk or curdled milk.
🇩🇿 Couscous with Fava Beans in Pods and Green peas – Mesfouf Bel Foul W’Ldjelbana
Ingredients
- 1 lb couscous
- 2 lbs fresh tender fava beans in pods
- 2 cups green peas
- Olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
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First prepare the couscous, please refer to my recipe link above to get a fluffy couscous.
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Second, prepare the fava beans with their young tender pods.
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To cut out the fava beans pod, snap off the tip at one end of the pod and pull down to remove the "string" that runs along the seam of the fava pod. Snip off the other end.
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If you come across a hard pod, unzip the seam, open the pod and remove the beans, then discard that hard pod.
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Cut the fava beans with pods into small pieces with hands or use a knife for that.
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Place in a bowl and add about 1 tablespoon salt.
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Add water and rub the pieces of fava beans with pods in the salted water.
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Place in the top of steamer. Pass under running water in the sink to rinse and let drain.
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Add green peas on top of the fava beans.
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Add about 1 teaspoon salt to the vegetables on top of the green peas. Don’t worry, the salt will penetrate to the fava beans.
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Place the top of the steamer with fava beans on a pot of boiling water. Cover the vegetables with a lid.
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Steam for about 30 minutes or less or until they are tender and cooked.
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Check the seasoning at the end of cooking and add salt if needed (mix it well with a spoon). Cover the fava beans with cooked couscous and let steam for about 15 minutes, just to warm up the couscous (as the couscous is already cooked).
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Dump the steamed couscous with the vegetables in a large shallow dish. Mix everything with a spoon or hands if you can stand the heat.
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Add olive oil generously if you like it that way.
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Serve with buttermilk or curdled milk.
Recipe Notes
- You can serve this dish with green onions.
- I have used fine couscous but medium couscous will work too.