My Favorite Falafel

Serves: 2

Clair Leannon

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

48

Spice

55

Sweetness

46

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.8

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Salt

4 cloves

Garlic

1 tsp

Cumin

6 tbsps

Flour

Directions:

1

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches

2

Let soak overnight, then drain

3

Or use canned chickpeas, drained

4

Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade

5

Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin

6

Process until blended but not pureed

7

Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse

8

You want to add enough bulgur or flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands

9

Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours

10

Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts, or use a falafel scoop, available in Middle-Eastern markets

11

Heat 3 inches of oil to 375ºF in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test

12

If it falls apart, add a little flour

13

Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown

14

Drain on paper towels

15

Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, chopped tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and pickled turnips

16

Drizzle with tahina thinned with water

17

NOTE: Egyptians omit the cilantro and substitute fava beans for the chickpeas

18

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches

19

Let soak overnight, then drain

20

Or use canned chickpeas, drained

21

Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade

22

Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin

23

Process until blended but not pureed

24

Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse

25

You want to add enough bulgur or flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands

26

Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours

27

Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts, or use a falafel scoop, available in Middle-Eastern markets

28

Heat 3 inches of oil to 375ºF in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test

29

If it falls apart, add a little flour

30

Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown

31

Drain on paper towels

32

Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, chopped tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and pickled turnips

33

Drizzle with tahina thinned with water

34

NOTE: Egyptians omit the cilantro and substitute fava beans for the chickpeas

35

Joan Nathan Shares Her Tips With Epicurious Tahina (also called tahini) is an oily paste made from ground sesame seeds

36

It is available in Middle Eastern markets and at www

37

Ethnicgrocer

38

Com

39

To garnish your falafel in true Israeli style, try adding one or several of the following condiments: harissa hot sauce, pickled turnip (both also available at www

40

Ethnicgrocer

41

Com), mango amba (pickle), or sauerkraut

42

Tahina (also called tahini) is an oily paste made from ground sesame seeds

43

It is available in Middle Eastern markets and at www

44

Ethnicgrocer

45

Com

46

To garnish your falafel in true Israeli style, try adding one or several of the following condiments: harissa hot sauce, pickled turnip (both also available at www

47

Ethnicgrocer

48

Com), mango amba (pickle), or sauerkraut