Falafel Sandwiches

Posted by Margalit

Anyone who has ever traveled in the middle east has sampled the famous street food, falafel. Falafel is a sandwich in pita bread. It is filled with vegetables, and falafel balls made from chickpeas. A vegetarian classic, falafel is delicious and filling, especially on a scorching hot day.

Yield: 4 servings

Falafel Balls:

* 1/3 cup dried chickpeas, picked over rinsed and drained
* 1/3 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
* 1/2 onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic
* 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* pinch cayenne pepper

Sauce:

* 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1/4 cup tahini, (sesame paste)
* 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
* 1 clove garlic
* 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sandwich:

* 2 large pitas, halved
* 1 tomato, sliced
* 1 seedless cucumber, chopped into half inch dice
* 2 cups shredded lettuce
* chopped pickles (kosher dill)
* chopped sweet onion

1. Soak the chickpeas using the "Traditional Slow- Soak Method." (see below)

2. To prepare the falafel, in a food processor coarsely chop the chickpeas, parsley, onion, garlic, coriander, baking soda, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne. Let stand 30 minutes; form into 8 patties about 2 tablespoons each.

3. Spray a medium nonstick skillet with non-stick cooking spray; heat. Add the falafel patties and cook until well-browned, 4-5 minutes on each side.

4. To prepare the sauce, in a food processor or blender puree the lemon juice, tahini, parsley, garlic, salt and 1/4 cup water.

5. To assemble the sandwiches, line each pita half with tomato slices and lettuce, then add 2 falafel patties; pour in the sauce.

"Traditional Slow Soak Method:" In a 5-qt. saucepan, cover 1 pound dried chickpeas with 10 cups water. Cover tightly and refrigerate 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.

TAGS: Chickpeas, Falafel, Sandwich
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