Edamame beans and rice

Eda… what!!! that was my first impression when I heard this bean name in English. It really has a funny name and its name in Arabic isn’t less funnier :). To tell you the truth, I’ve never loved this kind of beans but recently when I was in Egypt I fell in love with this dish that my mom used to make.

Usually edamame is eating raw – without the pods- with white cheese sandwiches or just as is as a nice healthy snack. This recipe my mom learned long time ago from a friend who’se home town which is Damietta. This recipe is considered frugal, nutritional, vegetarian and above all easy to make.

You will need:

1 pound of edamame beans – without the pods.
3 cups of short grain rice.
1 big yellow onion chopped.
3 Tbs of oil.
Salt ,pepper and ground cumin to your liking.

Start by browning the onion in your oil, until it is light brown not very dark, add the beans and cover with water. Let the water boil then reduce heat and cover until the beans are almost done.

Then wash the rice and add it to the beans with more water – according to your package directions- and all your seasonings. Cover and cook until rice is done.

Serve hot with salad and/or steamed vegetables. Enjoy.

Here is a glimpse of Damietta.

First you need to know that Damietta is a governorate in Egypt located on the Damietta branch of the Nile. Very famous with their extra ordinary furniture industry. What I really like about people there that they work work work …. really … they all work specially in the furniture industry since their childhood!!! and they almost eat fish 7 days a week 🙂 which I think a very healthy alternative to meat and poultry according to man doctors.

The Nile

Fishing

This is “Al lesan” or the tongue it is an amazing bridge as on the left is the Mediterranean water and on the right is the Nile water. Sooo beautiful.