Falafel Recipe

Falafel Ingredients:

• 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 c. fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 c. dry bread crumbs
• Oil for frying
• Sandwich ingredients: pita, tomato, onion, cucumber, pickled vegetables, tahini or cucumber sauce

Pour the chickpeas into a mixing bowl and mash them with a fork or a potato masher until smooth. It is important to do this by hand; a blender will create a consistency that is too thin. Add the following ingredients to your food processor or blender and process until smooth: onion, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, cayenne, coriander, cumin, lemon juice, baking powder and olive oil. Stir the onion and spice mixture into the chickpeas until well combined. Add the breadcrumbs about 1/4 c. at a time until the mixture will hold together and is no longer sticky. You may not need the entire cup of breadcrumbs. Create Ping-Pong sized balls using a disher, scoop or spoon. You may flatten them into patties if you wish. Your yield will vary depending on the size of falafel balls you create. Add one inch of oil to a heavy-bottomed pan and heat on medium-high until it beings to shimmer. Fry your balls or patties until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towel, and then arrange 2-3 falafel balls in a piece of pita bread. Top with chopped tomato, onion, cucumber and tahini or cucumber sauce, or the toppings of your choice.