Serene
Culinary Explorer
Come! let's have a middle eastern dish!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (or 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2-3 tablespoons chickpea flour or all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chickpeas:
- If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse them before using.
- If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them well.
- Blend the Ingredients:
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and baking soda.
- Pulse the mixture until everything is finely minced and it forms a coarse paste. Be careful not to over-process; you want some texture.
- Form the Falafel:
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together well and is easy to shape into balls. You want the mixture to be firm enough to hold its shape but not too dry.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls or patties, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. If the mixture is too sticky, wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking.
- Fry the Falafel:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully drop the falafel balls into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Fry the falafel for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Once cooked, remove the falafel from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve:
- Serve the falafel hot, either wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and tahini sauce, or on a platter with hummus, tahini sauce, and fresh vegetables.