Falafel

Falafel, a popular Middle Eastern dish, is a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option that is made from soaked chickpeas or a combination of chickpeas and split fava beans. The beans are soaked for 24 hours, allowing them to soften enough to be minced into a delicious falafel mixture. With a blend of aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon juice, these falafel patties are bursting with fantastic flavors. Serve them in pita bread with fresh vegetables, as a salad topping, or with various sauces like Tahini Sauce or yogurt sauce for a delightful meal. Additionally, you can experiment with various bean types and nutty variations to create unique and delicious falafel options.

MAKES: 6 servings

TIME: 1 hour plus 24 hours to soak the beans

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 3/4 cups dried chickpeas or 1 cup dried chickpeas plus 3/4 cup dried split fava beans
• 2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• Scant teaspoon cayenne, or mild chili powder to taste
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste
• Neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn, for deep-frying

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the dried chickpeas or a combination of chickpeas and split fava beans in a large bowl. Cover them with water by 3 or 4 inches, as they will expand in size during soaking. Let them soak for 24 hours, checking and adding more water if needed to keep the beans submerged.
2. After soaking, drain the beans well and transfer them to a food processor. Add the crushed garlic, quartered onion, ground coriander, ground cumin, cayenne, chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, salt, black pepper, baking soda, and lemon juice. Pulse the mixture until it is minced but not puréed, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add water tablespoon by tablespoon only if needed to help the food processor work, but keep the mixture as dry as possible. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, cayenne, or lemon juice if required.
3. In a large, deep saucepan, heat at least 2 inches of neutral oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F. A pinch of the falafel mixture should sizzle immediately when dropped into the hot oil.
4. Scoop heaping tablespoons of the falafel mixture and shape them into balls or small patties. Fry the falafel in batches without overcrowding the pan until they are nicely browned, turning as necessary. The total cooking time should be less than 5 minutes.

VARIATIONS:

• Nutty Falafel: Replace 1/2 cup of the beans with chopped walnuts, almonds, peanuts, or hazelnuts (not soaked). Omit the garlic, cumin, and cayenne and use parsley instead of cilantro, or add a tablespoon of thyme leaves to the mixture.
• Black-Eyed Pea Fritters: Replace the chickpeas or fava beans with black-eyed peas. Use chopped scallions instead of onions, hot red pepper flakes instead of coriander, and minced fresh ginger instead of cumin.

USES:

• Serve the falafel in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other raw vegetables for a classic falafel sandwich.
• Top your favorite salads with falafel patties for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
• Enjoy the falafel on its own as a delightful and healthy snack.

Falafel, with its crispy exterior and flavorful interior, is a delicious and versatile Middle Eastern dish. By soaking the chickpeas or a combination of chickpeas and split fava beans for 24 hours, you can easily create the perfect falafel mixture. Whether you choose to serve these falafel patties in pita bread with fresh vegetables or as a topping for your salads, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The variations, such as Nutty Falafel and Black-Eyed Pea Fritters, offer exciting and unique twists to the traditional falafel recipe. Enjoy this delightful vegetarian option with your favorite sauces or as a stand-alone snack. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, falafel is a perfect addition to any meal.