Falafel is a very popular Middle East fast food, and is our favorite too. It only takes minutes to prepare this; I have made it healthier (without compromising the taste) by baking the chick peas balls instead of deep frying. The chick pea balls can be eaten as a snack or can be served inside pita bread as a main dish. This dish tastes great when served along with tahini based sauces.
Ingredients
- Garbanzo beans – 1 can (drained and rinsed)
- Onion – 1 (chopped)
- Garlic – 2
- Ground cumin – ½ teaspoon
- Ground coriander – ½ teaspoon
- Fresh parsley – 2 tablespoons
- Bread crumbs – 2 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 4 tablespoons (divided equally)
- Salt to taste
- Tahini – 6 tablespoons
- Lemon juice – 2 tablespoons
- Water – ¼ cup
- Salads greens (romaine, iceberg, lettuce) – coarsely shredded
- Cucumber – 1 (cut into thin slices)
- Tomato – 1 ( chop them)
- Pita breads – 6
Direction
1. Combine garbanzo beans (chick peas), onion, garlic and grind to a coarse paste in a food processor.
2. Bring the ground paste to a bowl; A coriander powder, ground powder, salt, olive oil and bread crumbs and mix well.
3. Shape the batter into small balls (golf sized balls) and flatten them a little.
4. Arrange them on a greased tray and bake them in a pre heated oven at 400° F.
5. Bake for 20 minutes and flip the balls to other side and bake for 20 more minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Falafel is ready now.
6. In a small bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, olive oil and water.
7. To assemble sandwiches, cut the pita into two halves.
8. Add falafel, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and drizzle with tahini sauce.
