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I'm a very happy man tonight!  Anybody else here like middle eastern cooking?  I've just found something out.

I had (I thought) far too many broad beans back in July, so I cut several plants and hung them to dry.  Shelled them today, and I'm cooking them now - a huge pot of them, very, very slowly.

Why so happy?  They're the same bean as the Ful Bean of the Middle East - same colour, same cooking technique, and .... and ......  and ........... they taste right!  The same substantial, almost meaty taste I grew to love when I lived in Egypt and Yemen.

No more tins of Chinese imitations.  And a lot more beans to grow next year!

They'll be ready in time for a proper Egyptian breakfast -  eeeh, I'll not sleep!

All best - Gavin.

:)Hi Gavin.....I've never had middle eastern fayre....but you've made it sound so good.....I'm envious.....ENJOY... :P....H.P.

P.S. Apart from beans...what else is in the pot - if anything?

You've made my mouth water Gavin. i've been to Egypt several times and loved the food.

Not just happy, but well stuffed - very, very full indeed.  Just plain simple Egyptian style ful, with pitta bread and a salad.  And it tasted right.

I'll work up some of the different recipes I know - everywhere I went in the middle east used this staple in a different way.

What were you doing in Egypt, budgiebreeder?

All best - Gavin

Just Holidaying  you know ,like having fun ,enjoying myself,dining out and studying the culture.May go again next Spring can't seem to keep away it's like a bug.

Yup, it's a bug!!!  And incurable.

I lived there for five years - and loved it!

Hope it works out for spring time!

All best - Gavin

Just got to go now I shall blame you for reminding me of the lovely food.Where were you based for your five years?

Two years in Qena, and three years based in Cairo but travelling from Alexandria to Aswan.  I got to to know all the major cities in the valley - and lots of out of the way towns and villages.  Got out into the New Valley, across the Red Sea Mountains and up the coast, and over into Sinai.

It was at the time Sadat was signing treaties and stuff, so the country was only just beginning to open up after years of living on a war-footing.

All best - GAvin

Wonderful you lucky person.Just wonderful.