A falafel recipe was probably created back in ancient Egyptian days, but no one knows for sure. A falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food that's usually a fried ball or patty of ground chickpeas and/or fava beans.
These days, chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) appear to be the more readily available legume choice.
You can also make a healthier falafel recipe - not to mention easier with no oily mess to clean up - by choosing to bake your falafels instead of frying them.
What is a Falafel?
Falafels are actually the national dish of Israel, but it has been said that it originates from ancient Egypt.
Egyptians tend to use fava beans over chickpeas to make this dish. Although, using chickpeas and fava beans together is also popular.
Falafels are usually served in pitas along with vegetables and some kind of sauce like tahini. And modern day falafels have turned into a Middle Eastern street food or fast food.
Baked Falafel Recipes
Ingredients:
1 Can (15 oz.) Organic Chickpeas (drained & rinsed)
1 cup of Organic Fresh Parsley & Cilantro (rough chopped)
1 Chopped Medium Organic Yellow Onion
2 to 3 Organic Garlic Cloves
2 Tbsp. of Organic Sprouted Flour
1 tsp. Aluminum Free Baking Powder
1 Tbsp. of Organic Lemon Juice
1 tsp. of Organic Cumin Powder
1 tsp. of Organic Ground Coriander
2 Tbsp. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Optional: 1/2 tsp. of Sea Salt
It's much cheaper and healthier to prepare your own chickpeas to use
in your baked falafel recipes.
1 cup of dried chickpeas makes about 3 cups
of cooked chickpeas. Just be sure to soak the chickpeas overnight before cooking them to help remove anti-nutrients like phytic acid.
Instructions:
Add most of the chickpeas to the bottom of a food processor, followed by the other ingredients and topped with the remaining chickpeas.
Pulse until a crumbly mixture is formed (for not too long) - transfer to a bowl.
Then roll mixture into golf ball sizes and flatten them. Place falafels on a greased baking tray and brush with olive oil.
Bake falafels at 400 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes. Be sure to flip the falafels half way through to cook evenly - bake until golden brown.
How to Soak and Cook Dried Chickpeas
Sort and rinse 1 cup of dried organic chickpeas (remove any debris).
Soak chickpeas overnight (or 8 to 12 hrs) in 4 cups of warm filtered water.
Next day, drain the soaking water and add 4 cups of fresh water to the soaked chickpeas in a pot.
Bring up to a boil and then lower heat - simmer for approximately 1 1/2 hours (with the lid ajar). Adding more water if needed.
When chickpeas are tender, drain any cooking liquid and let chickpeas cool before using in a falafel recipe.
