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.

 

Hummus

Hummus is a very well known middle eastern appetizer that tastes great and is very simple to make. This my own recipe. Hummus is usually served drizzled with olive oil and with arabic bread on the side to scoop.

To begin , let's measure out all the ingredients...

Put the chickpeas and garlic clove in the food processor and proccess for a minute or two...

Add the tahini, lemon juice, salt and cumin... 

Add the water and process again till smooth..

Hummus
Serves : 6
Source : My own recipe

Ingredients:

4     cups   chickpeas, dry
1     tbsp    bicarbonate of soda
1/2  cup     tahini
1/2  cup     lemon juice
1     pc      garlic, clove
1     tsp     salt
1     tsp     cumin
2     tbsp   water
olive oil, to serve


Directions:

1.Rinse the chickpeas and soak in water overnight, add half of the bicarbonate of soda.
2. The next day, rinse the chick peas again and put them in a pot and cover with cold water. Add the rest of the bicarbonate of soda and set on high heat to boil till tender.
3. Drain the chickpeas, reserve some for garnish.
4. When the chickpeas cool down, put them in the food processor with the garlic clove and process for 1 minute.
5. Add the tahini, lemon juice, salt and cumin and process again for another minute or two.
6. Using a spatula scrape the food processor bowl then add the water and process again till smooth.
7. Spoon the hummus into a serving plate , garnish with reserved chick peas and drizzle with olive oil.
8. Serve the hummus with khobiz.

Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup

This is a recipe of a very flavorful winter soup. The soup is very simple to make and only uses a handful of ingredients and it's very healthy.

Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup
Source: My own recipe
Serves: 8

Ingredients:

11/4 kgs  swiss chard, rinsed well and chopped
1      lg     onion, chopped
1      cup  brown lentils, picked and rinsed
1      cup  carrots, peeled and cubed (optional)
2      cup  potatoes, peeled and cubed
3             vegetable boullion cubes
11/2-2 lt  water
2      tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Lemon wedges to serve
  
 Directions:

1.In a large stock pot, pour the olive oil and add the onions. Sautee the onions until translucent.
2.Add all the rest of the ingredients except the salt and pepper.
3.Let the soup simmer on medium heat for about45 minutes until all vegetables are tender and lentils are cooked.
 4.Add salt and pepper to taste.
 5.Serve the soup with lemon wedges.

Mjaddara

Whenever i feel like cooking a vegetarian dinner mjaddara is one i opt for most often, it is very simple to make and doesn't involve using a lot of ingredients but it tastes divine. Mjaddar is a middle eastern dish usually cooked using burghul but i like to cook it with rice instead which is sometimes known as 'Mdardara' to differentiate between the two. This dish is usaully served with a green salad or yoghurt.

To start , pour your lentils on a tray or flat dish and pick out any stones or any undesirables. Then rinse the lentils well. Rinse your rice a couple of times and then soak it in water. In a small pot add your lentils and add enough water to cover, boil your lentils on medium heat until almost done. While your lentils are boiling, in a skillet , pour olive oil and set on low fire. Add onions to the skillet and cook till golden brown. When done, remove the onions and set aside and reserve the olive oil. When your lentils are done pour out the liquid , measure, and add enough to measure up to 2 cups. Drain the rice. In the same pot with the lentils add the rice, water, salt and spices. Bring the pot to the boil then let simmer till all liquid has evaporated. Once it's ready, fluff up the mjadara and add 2-3 table spoons of reserved olive oil. To serve, spoon mjadara onto a serving platter and top with onions. Serve with a green salad or some dressed yoghurt.

Ingredients:

1 cup brown lentils
1 cup long grained rice
2 cup water, plus more for boiling the lentils
1 pc  large onion, sliced into half moons
2 tsps salt
1 tsp cumin
dash black pepper
olive oil to fry onions