Classic Falafel

Falafel is a traditionally Arab food. The word falafel may descend from the Arabic word falāfil, a plural of the word filfil, meaning “pepper.” These fried vegetarian fritters are often served along with hummus and tahini sauce (known as a “falafel plate.”) They’re also great served with toum, a Middle Eastern garlic sauce.

Ingredients:

1 cup chickpeas soaked overnight

1 tsp Paprika

½ tsp white pepper crushed

Red onion, roughly chopped (about 1/2 cup chopped)

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped and roasted

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 chopped cilantro+ 2 chopped mint leaves

2 Tsp olive oil

2 Tsp lemon juice+ lemon zest

2 teaspoons cumin powder

Salt to taste

1 Tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, optional for binding 

To Serve:

Hummus and Tahini sauce (Recipe Link: https://asumpotousrepast.wordpress.com/2017/08/02/creamy-hummus-sauce-or-dip-mediterranean/)

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor, except baking soda and flour: Add the chickpeas, onion, garlic, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1/4 cup cilantro to the bowl of a food processor. Sprinkle the olive oil, lemon juice, and spices over top.

2. Pulse the food processor, until the chickpeas are chopped and all the ingredients are mixed. Coarsely grind it.

3. Taste the mixture: Taste and add more herbs, spices, olive oil, or lemon juice, if you like.

4. Add the baking powder: Sprinkle the baking powder and flour, if using, over the mixture.

5. Continue pulsing until the mixture forms a ball.

6. Using your hands, scoop up some of the mixture and form it into a lemon size ball in your hand.

7. Heat some oil to deep fry these balls. Fry it till it turns golden brown in color. and serve hot with Hummus Tahini Sauce.