Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. It's a vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish that's easy to make and delicious. Falafel can be served as a main course or as a side dish. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Ingredients
To make falafel, you will need the following ingredients:
2 cups of dried chickpeas
1 onion, roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon of ground cumin
1 tablespoon of ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
Oil for frying
Instructions
Follow these steps to make falafel:
Soak the chickpeas in water overnight.
Drain the chickpeas and rinse them.
In a food processor, blend the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking soda until it forms a coarse mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Roll the mixture into small balls or patties.
In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
Fry the falafel until they are golden brown and crispy.
Drain the falafel on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve the falafel with pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, and your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
Falafel is a healthy and nutritious dish that's high in protein and fiber. One serving of falafel contains:
Calories: 330
Protein: 14 grams
Fat: 16 grams
Carbohydrates: 35 grams
Fiber: 9 grams
Variations
You can customize the falafel recipe to your liking by adding or substituting ingredients. Here are a few variations:
Sweet Potato Falafel: Substitute the chickpeas with cooked sweet potatoes.
Beetroot Falafel: Substitute the chickpeas with cooked beets.
Quinoa Falafel: Substitute the chickpeas with cooked quinoa.
Spinach Falafel: Add chopped spinach to the falafel mixture.
Jalapeno Falafel: Add diced jalapenos to the falafel mixture.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect falafel:
Don't use canned chickpeas. Dried chickpeas have a better texture and flavor.
Refrigerate the mixture before shaping it into balls or patties. This will help the falafel hold its shape and prevent it from falling apart when frying.
Don't overcrowd the frying pan. Fry the falafel in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
Use a thermometer to check the oil temperature. The oil should be around 350°F.
Drain the falafel on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve the falafel hot and fresh.
Conclusion
Falafel is a delicious and healthy dish that's easy to make. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed by everyone. You can customize the falafel recipe to your liking by adding or substituting ingredients. With a few tips, you can make the perfect falafel every time. Try this recipe today and enjoy the delicious taste of falafel!