She Strengthens

Discover the Flavor of the Middle East: A Delicious Falafel Recipe

A Taste of Heaven

Falafel is one of our all-time favorite foods, and we’re not alone. This Middle Eastern delight has captured the hearts of many, and for good reason. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with flavor, falafel is a culinary dream come true.

Our Journey with Falafel

We only recently discovered the joy of falafel, and we’re still making up for lost time. Before going vegan, we had never tried it, and now we can’t imagine life without it. Our friend Woz introduced us to this tasty treat, and we’ve been hooked ever since.

Falafel Hotspots

While we’ve moved from Eugene to Watkins Glen, we still rave about our favorite falafel spots back in Eugene. Mommy’s Falafel and Alexander’s Great Falafel are two must-visit destinations for any falafel enthusiast. Mommy’s has the added bonus of serving seasoned fries, while Alexander’s is a completely vegan cart.

A Recipe to Rival the Best

We’ve taken our favorite falafel recipe and given it a personal twist. With a few tweaks and adjustments, we’ve created a dish that’s both easy to make and bursting with flavor. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of falafel and experience the magic for yourself.

Falafel Recipe

Yield: 3-4 gyros
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 30 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

For the falafel:

• 15-19 oz can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt & pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

For the tahini sauce:

• 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon warm water

Instructions:

For the Falafel:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and drizzle the oil evenly in a shallow baking pan.
2. Mash the chickpeas/garbanzo beans using a spoon, potato masher, or blender.
3. Add onions and garlic and blend until well combined.
4. Mix in the rest of the ingredients to form a thick paste-like consistency.
5. Spoon out the mixture and roll into walnut-sized balls, placing them in the preheated baking dish.
6. Flatten the falafel slightly and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

For the Tahini Sauce:

1. Combine the garlic and tahini using a blender or food processor.
2. Add salt, parsley, cilantro, and cumin to the mixture.
3. Next, add olive oil, lemon juice, and water, adjusting the thickness to your liking.

Assemble and Enjoy:

1. Take your favorite pita bread and top it with your favorite toppings (greens, tomatoes, onions, etc.).
2. Add the falafel and tahini sauce.
3. Don’t forget to add a dash of hot sauce – it takes the dish to the next level!

Voilà! Your delicious homemade falafel is ready to be devoured.