Falafel is a famous comfort food for the Middle East, whether you’re vegetarian or not falafel is also known throughout the world. Because of its hearty & protein-packed mixture, it becomes a meat replacement for other people who want to take a break from consuming meat once in a while, and we can see it as a daily food grab.
Here in Toronto, Canada, it’s often accompanied by a variety of vegetables grilled, fried, and pickled drizzled with sauces like tahini, garlic cream sauce herbs & salads that can be served on a bed of lentil rice of wrap of pita bread pressed and heated like a panini. It’s so tasty you will forget meat at least once in your life.
Cooking Tips and Hacks:
When making falafel and you’re after authenticity, the best texture you can get is to use dried chickpeas then be bold on fresh herbs and seasonings, in this way you can achieve the full flavor of something really amazing!
Ingredients:
4 c / 512 g Dried Chickpeas
2 minced garlic clove
1 small Onion
1/2 bunch scallion
4 tbsp Sesame oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c flour
1/2 bunch chopped parsley and cilantro (if you prefer herb falafel)
5tbsp turmeric (if you prefer a bright yellow falafel)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
Salt & pepper to taste
For the white bean yogurt sauce:
3/4 c cooked white beans
1 small garlic clove
1/4 c plain yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil
lemon zest
dash of lemon juice
salt and pepper
your preferred cooking oil for deep frying
METHOD
- Soak dried chickpeas with water overnight.
- Strain the chic peas the day after. Using a food processor, blend the chickpeas all together with herbs & spices and season to taste.
- When mixture is roughly smooth, but not too fine, stir in sesame oil and the 1/2 c of flour, then transfer it in a clean bowl and cover it with saran wrap.
- Let the mixture chill for at least 30 mins in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, you can work on the white bean yogurt sauce by blending white beans, garlic, yogurt, olive oil lemon juice and zest season with salt & pepper.
- Heat oil in a saute pan until it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- using an ice cream scooper, scoop the chickpea mixture firmly then carefully drop it on your heated oil for frying. (or you can also simply form a ball into your palm. Deep fry falafel with spaces in between so it’ll be easy for you to take it off from the fryer.
- cook falafel for a least 3 minutes on each side until cook or until you achieve your desired color.
- Serve the falafel with your preferred accompaniments like rice, tomato salad or pita breads with hummus and yogurt sauce.
- Share and Enjoy!
