Falafel

We love all kinds of food from all over the world around our house. My husband had to live over in Egypt for a time for school and ate a lot of falafel over there. It is one of there main staples. They eat it inside pita bread as a sandwich. We love these little fried patties ever since he asked me to make them. We have been making them for years. Even if you think you don't like garbanzo beans you must give these babies a try. Paired with homemade pita bread(recipe here), lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese(or whatever cheese you like for that matter), avocados, and yogurt cucumber sauce make these irresistible!!

Falafel

1 can garbanzo beans(chickpeas)drained and rinsed

1/2 large onion roughly chopped(about 1 cup)

2 T. fresh parsley or you can use 1 T. dried

2 T. fresh cilantro

3/4 tsp salt

1/2-1 tsp. dried hot red pepper(depending on how hot you want it)

4 cloves, or 2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp baking powder

4-6 T. flour (I ended up using almost 10 T.)

Put onion, parsley, cilantro, hot pepper, salt, garlic, and cumin in a food processor or blender and blend till onion is small. Dump in the beans and process until well blended but not totally pureed. Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 T. of flour and pulse. YOu want to add enough flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered for several hours. Form the chickpea mixture into little patties about the size of a sausage patty. Heat 3 inches of oil to 375 degrees and fry the patties for a few minutes, or until browned, on each side. Drain on paper towels and serve with pita bread(recipe found Here) and any toppings you would like as I mentioned above.