Bissara Dip with Zahtr

banner
Preparation info
  • Serves

    Four

    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
The Complete Guide to Traditional Jewish Cooking

By Marlena Spieler

Published 2016

  • About

Bissara is a bean dip flavoured with garlic, which is as much enjoyed in Morocco as hummus is throughout the rest of the Middle East. Zahtar refers both to wild thyme and to a spice mixture made up of wild thyme, cumin, paprika, ground coriander, sesame seeds and often sumac. It is delicious and worth seeking out.

Ingredients

  • 350 g/12 oz/ cups dried broad (fava) beans, soaked overnight
  • 4

Method

  1. Drain the beans, remove their wrinkly skins and place them in a large pan with the garlic and cumin seeds. Add enough water to cover the beans and bring to the boil. Boil for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender.