Mesfouf (couscous with peas and fava beans)
Mesfouf (couscous with peas and fava beans) is a medium North African recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by MaxiRecettes on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr | Cook: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 45 min
Cost: $7.90 total, $1.98 per serving
Ingredients
- 300 g Medium couscous (wheat semolina) (Grain already steamed or to be prepared according to package instructions)
- 300 g Frozen peas (Can be replaced with fresh peas if available)
- 300 g Frozen fava beans (Ideally fresh, but frozen give excellent results)
- 50 g Unsalted butter (To be incorporated hot into the couscous)
- 1 cuillère à soupe Extra virgin olive oil (Approximately 15 ml)
- 1 cuillère à café Salt (Adjust to taste)
- 200 ml Buttermilk or kefir (optional, for serving) (Traditional accompaniment, to pour over the couscous before eating)
Instructions
Prepare the couscous (if not pre‑cooked)
Moisten the semolina with a little water, work it by hand, then steam it in the couscoussier for about 20 minutes, fluffing it with a fork between each steaming.
Time: PT1H
Bring the couscoussier water to a boil
Fill the lower part of the couscoussier with water, cover, and bring to a boil.
Time: PT5M
Steam the peas and fava beans
Place the frozen peas and fava beans in the steam basket, lightly salt, cover, and steam for 30 minutes or until tender.
Time: PT30M
Drain and season the vegetables
Remove the vegetables from the basket, drain quickly and add a pinch of salt. Mix lightly.
Time: PT5M
Incorporate the butter and olive oil into the couscous
Melt the butter with the olive oil, then add it to the hot couscous. Stir gently so the fat is evenly absorbed.
Time: PT5M
Mix the vegetables with the couscous
Fold the peas and fava beans into the couscous, lifting gently to keep the grain light.
Time: PT5M
Serve with buttermilk or kefir
Place the mesfouf in a serving dish, drizzle with buttermilk or kefir according to preference, and enjoy hot.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbohydrates
- 55 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fiber
- 8 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, low-calorie, high-fiber
Allergens: Milk, Butter
Last updated: April 11, 2026






