Arabic Falafel

Falafel is very popular in the Middle Eastern snack.

As a main dish, it is served as a sandwich, stuffed in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce. As an appetizer, it is served on a salad, or with hummus and tahini. Falafel is a favorite among vegetarians.

• Dried chickpeas or canned chickpeas -1cup/1can
• Onion, chopped -1large
• Garlic, chopped-3cloves
• Fresh parsley, chopped-3tbsp
• Fresh cilantro, chopped -3tbsp
• Cumin -1tsp
• Flour-4tbsp
• Dry hot red pepper-1/2tsp
• Salt-to taste
• Baking powder-1tsp
• Oil -for frying
• Tahini sauce thinned with a few drops of water(Homemade recipe to follow in next post)
• Chopped tomato/onion/bell peppers- for garnish

Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, covering with water. Allow to soak overnight. Omit this step if using canned beans.

Drain chickpeas and pressure cook for 20mins until cooked 

Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, cumin, parsley, cilantro, salt and pepper in bowl. Add flour and baking powder.
Mash chickpeas well ensuring to mix ingredients together. You can also combine ingredients in a food processor if  you want the result to be a thick paste.
Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.
Fry in 2 inches of oil on medium flame until golden brown .Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel for a minute or two.

Serve hot. Garnish falafel platter with cut tomatoes, green bell peppers, red onion and turnips. Serve tahini on the side.

NOTE: As an alternative, falafel can be formed into patties and served like a burger.