Beans for breakfast was not something that I ever imagined I would be eating but, in Morocco it’s a common dish for breakfast or lunch. You’ll most often find it served in small street food stalls and it’s very inexpensive. It’s seriously one of our favorite dishes!
I would argue that the version cooked in a clay pot for hours is certainly the tastiest version however few of us have the pot or a charcoal oven that we can tend for 12 hours or more. Instead, I tested out the recipe using an Instant Pot and while it’s not exactly the same it’s a fair substitute!
I decided to make this a completely vegetarian recipe but sometimes it is made by cooking with some meat. The most typical way you’ll find it in Morocco is actually with pieces of sheep stomach. But it can also be made with dried meat known as khlia (it’s a bit like beef jerky). Of course, you can go with just a regular piece of chicken, beef or lamb too. For me, the vegetarian version works just fine!
I also think you’ll appreciate the ingredient list for this recipe is pretty basic, and you probably have most of these items on hand.
Moroccan Instant Pot Loubia
Moroccan white bean (cannellini bean) recipe cooked using an Instant Pot. An easy breakfast or main dish item that can be made extra quickly with the instant pot.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried, white cannellini beans
- 5 garlic cloves (or more!)
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ c olive oil
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 hot pepper such as jalapeno or serrano (optional)
- 2 cups water or broth (any type of broth)
Instructions
Soak beans overnight in enough water to cover them completely as well as an inch or two additional as the liquid will absorb.
When you are ready to cook
In the instant pot add all of the ingredients and mix together.
Close the top and the valve.
Set to pressure and cook for 40 minutes. You want a longer cooking time on these because of what the consistency of the beans should be.
The beans should be very soft and have a thick liquid remaining. If it is still watery turn the saute option on and reduce the liquid. You also may want to use a fork to mash some of the beans to create a thicker sauce.
Serve as a main dish with bread to scoop it up or as a side dish.
Notes
**If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight you should soak them for a few hours at a minimum. You also will need to add some extra cooking time.
This dish can also be made in a normal pressure cooker on the stovetop. I would add an additional cup of liquid as it seems to evaporate quicker.
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What to Serve with Loubia
This dish is always eaten in Morocco with bread to scoop up the beans. If you have time to make it I suggest trying batbout as it’s my favorite bread to accompany this dish.
When this is served as a side dish, the main dish is often chicken or beef that has been grilled. The flavors really work together well. You can try this charmoula marinade to go with your chicken, or try making these hamburgers with harissa mayonnaise.