FALAFEL

Falafel is very popular in the Middle East as a fast food. Vendors sell it on the street corners in Cairo. As a main dish, it is served as a sandwich, stuffed in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini. As an appetizer, it is served on a salad, or with hummus and tahini. Falafel is a favorite among vegetarians.

In Egypt, McDonald's has their version of a falafel sandwich. Can you guess the name? McFalafel, of course.

No time to make your own falafel? Check out our favorite falafel mixes.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hours, 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup dried chickpeas or 16 oz. can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons flour
Salt
Pepper
Oil for frying
Preparation:
Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, covering with cold water. Allow to soak overnight. Omit this step if using canned beans.

Drain chickpeas, and place in pan with fresh water, and bring to a boil.

Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer on low for about an hour.

Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. Add flour.

Mash chickpeas, ensuring to mix ingredients together. You can also combine ingredients in a food processor. You want the result to be a thick paste.

Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.

Fry in 2 inches of oil at 350 degrees until golden brown (5-7 minutes).

Serve hot.

Serving Suggestion
Falafel can be served as an appetizer with hummus and tahini, or as a main course. Stuff pita bread with falafel, lettuce, tomatoes, tahini, salt and pepper. As an alternative, falafel can be formed into patties and served like a burger.

Serves 4.


1.There are many factors that go into good falafel - quality of the beans, whether you mash by hand or food processor, etc. This recipes does call for 2 tablespoons of flour, however, if you find your falafel is falling apart, by all means use more, but add a little at time. Egg is also an acceptable binding agent, but only use 1 egg.
2.Instead of boiling the beans after an overnight soak,simply cover them with boiling water, after an overnight soak . (Makes it easier) Hours later,put the beans into the food processor with some oil, garlic, lemon, and spices. Before making the falefel balls, add flour, an amount to get the nearly cookie dough texture. Finally maKe them into balls, and roll the ball in bread crumbs."