Falafel

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are shaped into small balls or patties and then fried or baked. Falafel is often served in a pita bread or as a part of a mezze platter. It is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish, and is widely enjoyed around the world for its crispy texture, flavorful spices, and nutritious ingredients. Falafel is believed to have originated in Egypt, but it is now a staple food in many countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

Falafel is typically made from ground chickpeas, which are a good source of protein and fiber. The chickpeas are soaked for a couple of hours and then blended with herbs and spices. Some variations use fava beans instead of chickpeas. The blended mix is formed into balls or patties and then fried or baked until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Falafel is often served with a variety of accompaniments, including tahini sauce, hummus, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Falafel has a long history, with some sources tracing its origins back to ancient Egypt, where it was made with fava beans. Today, it is a popular food in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Its popularity is due in part to its delicious taste and versatility, as it can be served as a snack, a main dish, or a part of a larger meal.

Falafel

Course: StarterCuisine: Middle EastDifficulty: Moderate

Servings

3

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

A delicious dish from the Middle East that can be served as a snack, a main dish, or a part of a larger meal

Ingredients

• Chickpeas – 1/2 cup, soaked in water overnight

• Onion – 1 small, chopped

• Green Chilli – 2, chopped

• Garlic – 4-5 cloves

• Coriander Leaves – 1/2 cup

• Chilli Powder – 1/2 tsp

• Cumin Powder – 3/4 tsp

• Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp

• Black Pepper Powder – 1/4 tsp

• Salt as per taste

• Gram Flour / All Purpose Flour – 2-2.5 tbsp

• Baking Soda – 1/8 tsp

• Oil for frying

Directions

• Into a blender jar, add the chickpeas, onion, green chilli, garlic, coriander leaves, chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, pepper and salt and grind to a coarse paste.
• Transfer this to a bowl and add the flour and baking soda to this and mix well.
• Grease the palms and shape into small balls. Fry the falafels in hot oil on medium to high flame till golden brown on the outside.
• Serve hot with hummus.

Recipe Video