Falafel

What is Falafel?

• Deep-fried spicy chickpea croquettes

• Served in pocket bread (pita) with– Cucumber, pepper & tomato salad– Sesame-lemon sauce

• Cuisine of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon

Falafel IngredientsServes 6

• 4 cups cooked chickpeas• 3 medium cloves crushed garlic• 2 beaten eggs• 3 tbls. sesame paste• 3 tbls. flour• ½ cup finely minced scallions• ½ cup finely minced celery• Flour for coating• ½ tsp. turmeric• ¼ tsp. cayenne• Dash black pepper• 1½ tsp. salt • ½ tsp. ground cumin

Prepare the Batter

• Mash chickpeas

• Combine with all ingredients and spices

• Cover and chill 1 hour

• Chilling makes the batter easy to roll

Cook and Serve

• Roll batter (with floured hands) into 1-inch diameter balls

• Coat balls with flour

• Deep fry golden brown

• Serve hot in pocket bread with – Cucumber, pepper & tomato salad– Sesame-lemon sauce

Prepare Chickpeas

• Use 4 cups canned chickpeas OR

1. Soak (4 hours or overnight)2 cups raw chickpeas in 8 cups of water

2. Boil, then simmer until soft (3 hours)

3. Drain