Egypt’s Most Beloved Street Food Dip
Bessara is a thick, vibrant green dip made from dried fava beans, fresh herbs, and garlic — a staple of Egyptian street food culture. The finishing touch is always a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. We use Olive Oil May for its smooth, grassy flavor that complements the earthiness of the beans perfectly.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 2 cups dried split fava beans (skinless), soaked overnight
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup fresh dill
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp Premium Pink Himalayan Salt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil May + extra for serving
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Drain and rinse soaked fava beans. Simmer in water for 30–40 minutes until completely tender. Drain well.
- In a blender or food processor, combine fava beans, parsley, dill, garlic, cumin, coriander, Premium Pink Himalayan Salt, and lemon juice.
- Add Olive Oil May and blend until silky smooth. Add a splash of water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve in a shallow bowl, topped with a generous drizzle of Olive Oil May, a sprinkle of cumin, and a pinch of Premium Pink Himalayan Salt.
Serving Ideas
Serve bessara warm with crusty bread or pita, sliced radishes, and spring onions. For an extra flavor layer, pair with Olive Oil & Palestinian Style Zaatar on the side. It also makes a fantastic spread for wraps and sandwiches.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Drizzle fresh Olive Oil May on top each time you serve.
