Falafel Wafel

Falafel is one of those crazy sounding, hippy vegan words that most people ignore if they see it on a restaurant menu. But its really not as foreign as it sounds, and its not one of those fake burgers or anything like that. Falafel is comprised primarily of chickpeas, or garbanzo beans if you're into the espanol. Its something I have always been interested in trying as a lot of people use it as a meat alternative in meals, but usually I avoid it because its deep fried and I'm just not into that frying business. Besides, if you're trying to be healthier (which I would think a person eating vegitarian usually would be), I think the deep friedness might counter that a little bit. But anyway, that aside, the other day I saw a lady making falafel patties by lightly pan frying them, so I had to try it!

Ben and I both loved it! Seriously, I'm making it again this week.

Here is the recipe I used. You have to kind of prepare in advance for it, as the beans need to soak overnight (unless you opt to use canned- just make sure you pat dry the beans before hand though) I think you can be pretty liberal with it and spice it up as you choose. You can't really go wrong with it.

1 cup dried chickpeas
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper ( I used a jalapeno too...super hot!!)
4 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon baking powder
4-6 tablespoons flour
Soybean or vegetable oil for frying ( i used olive oil)
Chopped tomato for garnish
Diced onion for garnish
Diced green bell pepper for garnish

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and let them soak overnight in water and about 2 Tbsp. lemon juice (the acid activates more of the nutrients in the beans...aka their better for you!)

Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas in a blender or food processor along with the onions, add all other spices and herbs. Process until blended, but not pureed. Add the baking powder and four TBSP flour. Add enough flour to make the ingredients all stick together well enough to form patties. Put in bowl and refrigerate for several hours. Heat up a skillet on med/med-high heat. coat pan in a thin layer of olive oil and form chickpea mixture into patties. Pan fry a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Serve with Pita bread, a cucumber or dill sauce, tahini, veggies, whatever you like!

We made a simple dill sauce using: sour cream, lots of dill weed, salt, pepper and garlic. It was yummy!!