[caption id="attachment_2676" align="alignnone" width="900"] "Foul b Selek" - Chard and beans[/caption] "Foul b Selek" is a Beirut recipe prepared mainly by the end of winter season when swiss-chard is still available and spring fava beans are harvested. It is a balanced vegetarian starter rich in protein and iron. It is best enjoyed cold with some lemon juice that helps increase the iron absorption. Serving: 4 Caloric content: 75 calories / serving Ingredients:  1 kg of Swiss chard, cleaned and chopped 1 cup of coriander leaves 200 g of fava beans soaked overnight 2 garlic cloves, minced 100 g of chopped onions 2 tbsp of vegetable oil 1 tsp of cumin salt and pepper to taste 2 L water [caption id="attachment_2677" align="alignnone" width="900"] Winter chard at a local market in the West Bekaa[/caption] Preparation method:

1. Add the fava beans to 1 L of water and bring to boil
2. While boiling add 500 ml of water and cover. Stir occasionally
3. After 1 hour, add another 500 ml of water
4. In a large pot, stir fry the onions and garlic in vegetable oil until they wilt
5. Add the chopped Swiss chard and coriander and cover until they are well cooked
6. While on heat, add 1 tsp of cumin and the strained fava beans
7. Tune the salt and pepper according to taste
8. Serve cold with a slice of lemon