No felafel worth its name has either baking soda or flour in it, nor are either necessary. :)
Falafel with Tahini
The seasoned chickpea mixture for this falafel should have a coarse texture. This will ensure a crisp shell and a moist interior.
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Credit: Penny De Los Santos
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
and mashed into a paste with a little salt
1 /2 cup tahini
1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, to taste
FOR THE FALAFEL:
1/2 lb. dried chickpeas
1 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp. flour
3/4 tsp. ground coriander
3/4 tsp. ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 small onion, roughly chopped
Cayenne pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda mixed
with 1 tbsp. water
Kosher salt, to taste
Canola oil, for frying
Warm pita, for serving
1. Make the sauce: Place garlic paste in a small bowl and add the tahini, parsley, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup ice water. Whisk until sauce is creamy; season with salt. Set tahini sauce aside.
2. Make the falafel: In a medium bowl soak chickpeas in cold water overnight. Drain water and place chickpeas in a food processor with parsley, flour, coriander, cumin, garlic, onions, and cayenne. Pulse mixture until it is well combined yet still coarse in texture, about 80 pulses. Add baking soda mixture and season with salt and cayenne; pulse to combine. Chill in freezer for 20 minutes. Use a spoon to portion the mixture into 1-tbsp. balls.
3. Pour oil into a 6-qt. pot to a depth of 2"; heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 340˚. Working in batches, fry falafel balls, turning occasionally, until they float and turn golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer falafel to a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Serve in a pita with the tahini sauce.
SERVES 4 – 6
Ratings & Reviews (3)
My whole family devoured these, fast! I'm curious about the inclusion of flour and especially baking soda and will probably omit them next time to see how they turn out.
very good, though the Felafel from issue 4 or so is better. an early issue.
Falafel with Tahini
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