Making delicious falafel depends on three things: using dried chickpeas that have been soaked but not cooked (never canned beans here!); seasoning the mixture very well with spices and herbs; holding your oil to 375-degrees so you get a golden brown and crispy falafel.
Ingredients
Herb Falafel (serves 4)
1/2cupdried chickpeas
1/2cupwhite onionroughly chopped
2Tbspstorn dill
1/2cupparsleyroughly chopped
3/4tspKosher salt
2garlic clovespeeled and roughly chopped
3/4tspground cumin
6-8Tbspschickpea flouras needed
Grapeseed oilfor frying
Pita breadfor serving
Sliced cucumbers and tomatoesfor serving
Simple Tahini saucefor serving
Quick and Simple Tahini Sauce (makes about 1/2 cup)
1garlic cloveroughly chopped
2Tbspfresh lemon juice
1/3cuptahini
1/2tspKosher salt
1/4cupwaterplus more if needed
Instructions
Herb Falafel (serves 4)
Place the dried chickpeas in a bowl. Cover with cold water by at least 3-inches. Let sit on your counter overnight.
Drain and place soaked chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor.
Add the onion, dill, parsley, salt, garlic and cumin.
Process for 3-4 minutes, until mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl periodically. Dump mixture into a bowl and stir in 3 tablespoons of flour.
Attempt to make a walnut-sized ball. If it doesn’t hold together, add up to 3 more tablespoons flour. Create 12 balls while you heat the oil.
Place 4-inches of oil in a deep heavy-bottomed pot. Heat to 375-degrees. Gently lower the balls into the oil using a slotted spoon.
Cook until deeply golden on all sides, gently stirring as needed. Remove from the oil and allow to drain on paper towels briefly.
Serve falafel warm, tucked into pita bread with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes and a drizzle of Tahini Sauce.
Quick and Simple Tahini Sauce (makes about 1/2 cup)
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until very smooth. Store in a jar, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.