Falafel: A Delicious and Nutritious Middle Eastern Treat
Falafel is a delicious and nutritious Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas or fava beans. It is a popular street food and is often served as a main course or appetizer. Falafel is a good source of protein, fiber, and iron.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup dried chickpeas or fava beans
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon ground coriander
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Soak the chickpeas or fava beans in water overnight.
2. Drain the chickpeas or fava beans and rinse them thoroughly.
3. Add the chickpeas or fava beans, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper to a food processor.
4. Process until the mixture is finely chopped.
5. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Fry the falafel balls in the hot oil until they are golden brown on all sides.
8. Drain the falafel balls on paper towels.
9. Serve the falafel balls immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Dipping Sauces for Falafel:
* Tahini sauce
* Hummus
* Tzatziki sauce
* Garlic sauce
* Spicy tomato sauce
Tips:
* For a gluten-free version of falafel, use gluten-free flour instead of bread crumbs.
* To make baked falafel, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the falafel balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on all sides.
* Falafel can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply fry them in hot oil until they are warmed through.
Falafel is a delicious and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great source of protein, fiber, and iron. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, falafel is a perfect meal for any occasion.