Falafel

Falafel is a middle eastern chickpea fritter served with pita bread,baba ghanoush etc or as part of Mezze platter.

Preparation time:40 minutes

Serves:makes 12 falafels.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas(soaked overnight)

2 tablespoons olive oil+1 tablespoon olive oil

⅓ cup diced red onion

½ cup fresh parsley leaves

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

3 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt(adjust per your taste)

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon red chili powder(cayenne pepper)

Procedure:

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.In a pan roast the garlic in few drops of olive oil

3.In a food processor, add parsley, cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper.Pulse three times 

4.Add the drained chickpeas and process until to your desired coarseness, do not make it completely smooth. I made mine grainy.Mix in the diced onion.

5.Using a scoop take 2 tablespoons of mixture at a time and shape them into small egg shapes and flatten them.Place them on a greased baking sheet.

6.Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the falafel from the oven and gently turn them over and bake them for another 13 to 15 minutes.

Tips:

Falafel is generally deep fried until brown, but if you want a healthier you can use this  method of baking.

You can also use half chickpeas and half fava beans for the recipe.

You can also make round falafels if thats easier for you.

Do not cook the chickpea prior to placing in oven.