Turkish Fava Bean Dip
Fava Ezmesi
This creamy, earthy Turkish fava bean dip has a smooth, velvety texture with bright lemon and fresh dill flavors. The pale green puree is garnished with golden olive oil, red pepper flakes, and herbs for a beautiful presentation. It's an elegant meze that showcases the Mediterranean flavors of Turkish cuisine.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Soak the fava beans
Rinse the dried split fava beans in cold water and place them in a large bowl. Cover with cold water by 5cm and soak for 8-12 hours until they double in size and feel soft. Do not skip soaking as unsoaked beans will take much longer to cook and may remain grainy.
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Prepare aromatics
Finely dice the onion into 3mm pieces. Finely chop the fresh dill, removing thick stems. Set both aside separately. Do not chop the dill too early as it will lose its bright color and fresh flavor.
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Cook beans and onion
Drain and rinse the soaked beans. In a large pot, combine beans, diced onion, and 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil over high heat for 2-3 minutes, then reduce to low heat. Simmer gently for 45-60 minutes until beans completely fall apart when pressed. Do not let the water boil vigorously as this can make the beans tough.
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Drain and cool
Drain the cooked beans in a fine mesh strainer, reserving 200ml of the cooking liquid. Let the beans cool for 10-15 minutes until they stop steaming and are warm to touch. Do not process hot beans as this can create a gluey texture.
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Puree the mixture
Transfer cooled beans to a food processor. Process on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. Add 2 tbsp reserved cooking liquid if the mixture is too thick - it should be spreadable but not runny. Do not over-process as this can make the dip gummy.
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Season and finish
Add lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and black pepper to the puree. Pulse 3-4 times for 2-3 seconds each until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning - it should be bright and well-seasoned. Do not over-mix the herbs or they will lose their fresh appearance.
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Serve and garnish
Spread the dip in a shallow serving bowl, creating gentle swirls with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with 3 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes over medium-low heat for 30 seconds until fragrant. Serve immediately at room temperature. Do not refrigerate before serving as this dulls the flavors.
Tips
Cooking Tips
Pass the puree through a fine mesh sieve after processing for an ultra-smooth, restaurant-quality texture that's completely free of any bean skin particles.
Alternatives
Replace fresh dill with fresh parsley or mint for different flavor profiles - parsley gives earthiness while mint adds brightness, though dill remains the most traditional choice.
Serving & Storage
Serve with warm pita bread, crusty Turkish bread, or fresh vegetables like cucumber and radish. Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days, bringing to room temperature and re-drizzling with olive oil before serving.
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