Falafel

Falafel is a vegetrian middlee astern fritter which can be eaten as a snack or served as a part of a mezze. Falafel is enjoyed by many people world wide and is a very popular street food, it is served in Khobiz drizzled with tahini sauce. Falafel can be made at home using a grinder or food processer.

Here are some pictures to illustrate the falafel making process:

Put all of your ingredients except the oil and baking powder and soda in the food processor bowl or in the feeding tray of the grinder.

Grinding the ingredients...

The falafel mixture...

Source: adapted from Anahids gourmet cook book

Ingredients:

1/2         kg           chickpeas, soaked in water overnight

1/2         bunch   parsley

1/4         bunch   mint

1/4         bunch   cilantro

1              med       onion, chopped

1/2         tsp          dry coriander

1/2         tsp          falafel spices

½-1         tbsp       salt

Oil to fry the falafel

1/4         tsp          baking soda

1/2         tsp          baking powder

Directions:

1.       Wash and drain the chickpeas after they have been soaked overnight for at least 12 hrs and set aside.

2.       Chop the parsley, mint and cilantro and add to the chick peas.

3.       Add the garlic, onions, salt, cumin, dry coriander, and falafel spices.

4.       Process this mixture or grind in a grinder, to obtain a sticky and soft batter. Let the mixture rest for an hour.

5.       Stir the batter again and just before frying, add the baking soda and baking powder.

6.       Dip a falafel scoop in water and plunge scoop inside batter. If using hands, wet hands with water, take some batter and form semi-flat balls, bigger than walnuts.

7.       Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan and fry the falafel until crisp and golden.

Taratour(Tahini Sauce):

1/2-2/3 cup         tahini

1              cup         water

Juice of 1 lemon

½             tsp          salt

To make the taratour:

Dilute the tahini with water and lemon juice, add the salt and blend to get a smooth sauce.