Making the Perfect Falafels

I'm excited to kick off today's tutorial where we'll be making some super quick and delicious homemade falafels! Falafels are a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. They are then shaped into small patties and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Firstly, I'm going to plunge into the ingredients needed to make the perfect falafels. You'll need 2 cups of cooked chickpeas, 1 small onion, 3 cloves of garlic, a handful of fresh parsley, a teaspoon of ground cumin, a teaspoon of ground coriander, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a tablespoon of flour, and salt and pepper to taste.

Moving on to the preparation process, start by roughly chopping the onion, garlic, and parsley. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, flour, and salt and pepper. Blend until everything is well combined and the mixture forms a coarse paste.

Once your falafel mixture is ready, it's time to shape them into patties. Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball slightly to form a patty. You should be able to make around 12 falafel patties with this recipe.

Now comes the fun part - frying the falafels! Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to around 350°F (180°C). Carefully place the falafel patties into the hot oil and fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

And there you have it - the perfect homemade falafels! You can serve them in pita bread with a variety of sauces, garnishes, and pickles. Some popular options include tahini sauce, tzatziki, pickled onions, cucumber and tomato salad, and a drizzle of hot sauce. Get creative and enjoy your delicious falafel creation!

Falafel mixture ready to be shaped into patties

Golden and crispy falafels straight out of the fryer

Variety of Sauces, Garnishes, and Pickles

A key element of a delicious falafel sandwich is the assortment of sauces, garnishes, and pickles that accompany it. Let's explore some options that will take your falafels to the next level!

First up, tahini sauce. Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and has a rich, nutty flavor. To make tahini sauce, simply whisk together ¼ cup tahini, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 clove of minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Add water as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.

Next, let's talk about tzatziki. This refreshing yogurt-based sauce is made by combining 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 grated cucumber (squeezed to remove excess moisture), 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, a handful of chopped fresh dill, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together and tzatziki is ready to serve!

Pickled onions are also a great addition to your falafel sandwich. To make them, thinly slice a red onion and place the slices in a jar. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, ¼ cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it over the sliced onions. Let them sit for at least an hour before using.

To add some freshness to your falafel sandwich, prepare a simple cucumber and tomato salad. Just chop up some cucumbers and tomatoes, and toss them with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

And finally, if you like a bit of spice, don't forget the hot sauce! You can use your favorite store-bought hot sauce or make your own by blending together hot peppers, vinegar, garlic, salt, and a touch of sugar.

With these sauces, garnishes, and pickles, you can customize your falafels to your liking. Layer them in a warm pita bread with some fresh lettuce, and you've got yourself a satisfying and flavorful meal!

Tahini sauce - a rich and nutty addition to falafels