Authentic Falafel Recipe
Taste the Mediterranean Essence with an Authentic Falafel Recipe
Falafel is a beloved Middle Eastern dish that is made with a mixture of spices, herbs, fava beans or chickpeas. These ingredients are formed into small balls or patties and have become a popular vegan food throughout the Middle East.
Falafel is believed to have originated in Egypt, where the Coptic Christians searched for a meat replacement during long seasons of lent or fasting. The dish is often served in a sandwich with loads of Mediterranean salad and generous tahini with fried or roasted eggplant slices. Visit the sections below to understand the ingredients required to make this dish and how to prepare it with your twist!
Falafel Ingredients
Gather all the ingredients before you learn about the falafel recipe. Below are the things you will need to make a lip-smacking plate of flavourful falafels.
• 2 cups of dried chickpeas
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• ½ to ¾ teaspoons of red chilli or cayenne powder
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 4 to 6 garlic cloves
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
Quick Note: Do not use canned chickpeas! Always use the dried ones since they are an important ingredient that gives your falafel the right taste and consistency.
Step-by-Step Process on How to Make Falafel
Traditional falafel is very easy to make, and you can have it as any meal at home. Below are all the steps for making soft and crispy falafels, stars of the dinner table.
Step 1: Soak the Chickpeas for 24 hours
Cover your chickpeas with plenty of water and put some baking soda to soften them during the soaking process. Drain the water once the chickpeas have doubled in size after the soaking.
Step 2: Mix the Falafel Ingredients and Refrigerate
Add fresh herbs (dill, cilantro, and parsley), chickpeas, onion, garlic, and spices to your food processor. Pulse it all a little until the ingredients are finely ground. It's ready once the mixture becomes a coarse meal. Now, you can transfer the mix into a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate overnight for at least an hour. The cooled mixture will hold together better, which will ease the formation of falafel patties.
Step 3: Form the Balls or Patties
Stir in toasted sesame seeds and baking powder once the falafel mixture is chilled. Form the patties or balls by scooping up a little of the mixture. But ensure that you do not flatten the patties too much if you want them to be fluffy when cooked.
Step 4: Fry the Falafel Patties or Balls
Frying is the traditional way of making falafel and getting the best and most authentic result. So heat the oil at medium-high temperature and drop the patties or balls into it once it starts bubbling softly. Fry for 3-5 minutes until the balls become golden brown on the outside. Ensure you fry the mixture in batches and do not overcrowd the falafel.
Tip: Fry one ball of mixture first to ensure you don't need to adjust the oil temperature.
Step 5: Serve the Fried Falafels
Serve falafels with a drizzle of any condiment you prefer, and have them for breakfast, lunch or dinner! You can serve falafel in several ways, whether it's the Middle Eastern way of serving with a generous amount of tahini or having it as a sandwich. You can take some pita pockets, fill them with falafels, and add fresh greens, cucumbers, freshly diced tomatoes, pickles and a drizzle of fresh greens. You can also serve it on a brunch board, as a size, or have it with a dip.
Make Baked Falafels
Frying your falafels is not the only way of making the drool-worthy dish. You can also bake them by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and oiling the baking sheet lightly. Brush every falafel patty with extra virgin olive oil before you put it in the oven and bake it for 15-20 minutes. Turn the patties over halfway through baking.
Conclusion
Making falafels is a simple process once you know what to do. The falafel ball recipe above is an authentic glimpse into Mediterranean vegan cuisine you can eat or serve whenever you want. But there are certain things that you must always remember when making falafel, and it includes using dry chickpeas that you have soaked in water for at least 24 hours to get the best flavour and texture. You must also process the chickpeas and get the dough-like semi-coarse mixture.
You must also chill the mixture once you have made it and add baking powder before making your patties or balls. The baking powder makes a stark difference in how fluffy and soft the falafels are inside. You can also follow the step-by-step falafel recipe above and get the best snack!
FAQs
1. Can I use canned chickpeas to make falafels?
It's better not to use canned chickpeas since they make your falafel break apart in the oil. Instead, you can use the dry ones without worrying about disintegration.
2. What should the oil's temperature be before frying the falafel?
The oil should be precisely 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or you can just keep the flame on medium-high heat. The cooking oil also needs to be bubbling gently, and any hotter than this will make the mixture disintegrate.
3. How will I understand whether the falafel is cooked thoroughly?
The falafel is entirely cooked once it's medium brown and crispy on the outside. And it will be light green and fluffy on the inside.
4. Are there any different variations of making falafel?
Several variations of making hearty and warm falafels include vegetables, spices, healthy greens, and baked falafel. The colour of the falafel differs depending on the variation you make. For example, the healthy greens recipe will look greener than the others because of its ingredients.
