FALAFEL

falafel

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh or 1/4 cup dried parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 15-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1 egg white
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Dash cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs, unseasoned
Oil for frying or nonstick vegetable spray

Preparation:

In food processor place onion, parsley, and garlic. Pulse until finely minced. Add drained chickpeas and pulse just until they are mashed, but not a paste You want very small chunks of beans. (You could also press the garlic, grate the onion, and mash the chickpeas with a fork, if you don’t have a food processor.)

Transfer to a bowl and mix in the egg white, cumin, cilantro, salt, pepper, oregano, cayenne, lemon juice, baking powder, and olive oil. Stir in the bread crumbs. Chill for 15 minutes to allow the crumbs to soak up the liquids and the patties will hold together better.

Heat a small amount of oil in a nonstick frying pan, or spray with nonstick spray. Heat pan over medium-low. Form patties from 1/8 cup of falafel mixture. These are very soft so keep them more rounded, as they will flatten slightly when turned. Fry patties until golden brown on each side. Serve with Tzatziki sauce. Makes about 14 patties.

___________

Photography by Yummyporky