Friday, May 21, 2010

Falafels

 Thanks again to Cooking à la Mode for another fantastic recipe!! These are SOOO good.  I had my entire family over for dinner and needed to make something Riley could eat (meatless) as well.  Everyone devoured them. The bread (more like a soft wrap bread really than a pita) is divine.  (With the leftover bread I put a bit of butter and cinnamon and sugar...)


1 can chickpeas
1/2 yellow onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
2 Tbs. fresh parsley
2 Tbs. fresh cilantro
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
4 cloves of garlic
1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c.+ flour
vegetable oil for frying

1 recipe of Soft (Pita) Flat Bread (or store bought pitas-- If you're in a pinch)
English cucumber slices, quartered
tomato, diced
shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 red onion, sliced paper thin
ranch dressing

Place chickpeas and onions in a food processor. Pulse until almost smooth. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, red pepper, garlic, and cumin. Process until well-blended but not pureed.

Remove chickpea mixture and place in a bowl. Sprinkle in the baking powder and flour, and gently mix. Add enough flour so that the dough can form a small ball without being too sticky. Refrigerate, covered, while you heat the oil and chop the veggies. Mixture can easily be made several hours ahead of time.

Using a small cookie dough scoop sprayed with Pam, form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts (you should have about 16-18 balls). Flatten between greased hands, until each ball becomes a 3 inch circle.

Heat 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees in a deep pan (I always use a candy thermometer to make sure my oil temperature stays consist ant) and fry 1 ball to test. If it falls apart, add a little flour. Then fry about 5 balls at a time for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

Stuff warm pita bread with 2-3 falafel balls and all vegetable toppings. Add a generous amount of ranch dressing and serve hot.

5 comments:

Alyssa Griffeth said...

SO glad you liked them!! Seeing that picture makes me want them again right now!

Anonymous said...

I have been looking for a Fresh Falafel recipe.... I can't wait to try yours!!

Kelly said...

Cute blog
New follower

Keepingupwithkelly.com

Miranda said...

Hey Krista,
Thank you for your comment and hello! I love both your photography and this a.m.a.z.i.n.g looking food! I can't wait to get started trying out these recipes! So nice to virtually meet you;)

Miranda

shanda said...

I have been feeling really sick lately when i eat meat so I made these. I had everything for them surprisingly, and I loved them. Do you want to share with me some ideas on how you feed riley? I am seriously considering changing my diet permenatley. email me when you have the time.
:) chillililly18@gmail.com

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