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Homemade
falafel is incomparably aromatic and satisfying; it
can't be compared with stuff made from mixes or
even what you get in some restaurants. This is a
simple and delicious recipe, very easy to do with a
food processor.
Lemon-tahini
sauce is the traditional accompaniment to falafel,
but after trying a healthy summery salsa made from
cucumber, avocado, tomato, and tomatillo instead,
we seldom use the traditional sauce
anymore.
Preparation
The night
before, put about 1 to 1-1/2 cups of dried
chickpeas (garbanzo beans) to soak in a bowl of
water.
The
Falafel (Serves 2-3 )
1 to 1-1/2
cups dried chickpeas, soaked for 24 hours or so
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 tsp whole coriander seeds
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon juice
Preheat oven
to 375. Combine ingredients in a food processor and
pulse until the mixture is dense and pasty, but
with lots of small chunks of chickpea still present
- it should not be smooth.
Spray a
baking sheet with cooking spray. Using hands, shape
chickpea mixture into balls or small patties and
set gently on baking sheet. Spay with cooking
spray, and bake for 40 minutes or until golden
brown.
The
Salsa
1
avocado
1/2 cucumber
1 tomato
2 tomatillos
1/2 tsp lemon juice or lime juice
dash of salt
freshly ground black peppercorns (to taste)
1 tsp chopped fresh mint
You can make
this while the falafel is baking. Dice ingredients
into small chunks and combine. Chill.
Notes
Falafel is
traditionally fried in olive oil. It's certainly
yummy that way, developing a special crispiness and
flavor. However, we like the baked version almost
as well, and it's healthy and much easier to make
(no worries about the patties staying together as
you turn and move them in the oil, and no standing
over a hot stove).
Ingredient
Corner
Tomatillos
are a relative of the tomato and pepper, often used
in Mexican cuisine. They have a tangy, citrusy
flavor and add a lot of life to this salsa. Buy
firm ones that with rich green skins. Remove the
papery husks before using.
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