Lebanese Falafel with Tahini Yogurt

Lebanese Falafel with Tahini Yogurt

 

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

Recipe Type: Main

Serves: 24 falafel

Ingredients

• 2 Cups dried chickpeas
• 1 onion cut in quarters
• 4-5 garlic cloves peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 small bunch fresh parsley about 1 cup
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro about 1 cup
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tb coriander
• ½ tsp cayenne
• 2 tsp cumin
• 3 Tb flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Vegetable or grape-seed oil for frying

Tahini Yogurt Sauce

• Click the link above for the recipe.

Instructions

1. Soak dried chickpeas overnight in a large bowl filled with water.
2. The next day, drain the chickpeas and pulse in a food processor until crumbly and there are no whole chickpeas left. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. In the same food processor, pulse together the onion, garlic, parsley and cilantro. Pulse until it almost looks like a paste. Add parsley mixture to beans.
4. Use a large spatula to mix the beans and herbs together. Add cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper and flour. Mix well. Add baking powder and soda just before frying. Mix everything well.
5. Heat a large skillet with vegetable oil and bring oil up to about 370 degrees F. You can test to see if the oil is hot by dropping a small piece of batter. If it sizzles, it's ready.
6. Use a large tablespoon and form batter into balls. I scoop about 2 tablespoons worth and form a ball between your hands.
7. Carefully place the falafel in the hot oil. You can fit 4-5 in at once but don't overcrowd the pan. Fry on 1 side until you can see it browning on the sides, about 4-5 minutes. Then flip over and fry other side.
8. The falafel should be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. To make tahini yogurt, just mix tahini and Greek yogurt together.

Notes

Make sure to add baking powder and baking soda within 20 minutes of making falafel.
Recipe adapted from DedeMed.com