Falafel

New: April 2020

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight (don't use canned chickpeas)
1/2 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 cup parsley, roughly chopped (about a one large bunch)
1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped (about a one large bunch)
1 small green chile pepper, serrano or jalapeno pepper
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chickpea flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
avocado oil for frying


The night before, soak the dried chickpeas in water. Make sure the water covers the chickpeas by 2-3 inches, as they'll triple in size.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add them to your food processor.
Add the onion, parsley, cilantro, pepper, garlic, cumin, salt, cardamom and black pepper to the food processor and pulse several times until it resembles the texture of coarse sand.
Transfer the falafel mixture to a bowl and add the chickpea flour and baking soda. Stir together, then cover or add a lid.
Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to one hour.
Use your hands, an ice cream scoop or falafel scoop to form the falafel into balls or patties. If you find the mixture is too wet, you can add another tablespoon of chickpea flour. If it's too dry and crumbly, you can add a teaspoon or two of water or lemon juice.
Once the falafel are formed, you can cook them by your preferred method mentioned above.
To deep fry the falafel, add about 3 inches of oil to a pot on medium heat. Heat the oil to 350F.
Cook the falafel in batches (about 6-8 at a time) for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Use a skimmer to check the color of the falafel and make sure they don't over cook. Then remove them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Serve the falafel immediately, while warm and crispy on the outside.
LISA'S TIPS
Falafel are best golden on the outside, not charred. Make sure your oil doesn't get too hot. If it does, the outside will cook too fast before the inside can warm up.
The falafel should not break apart while cooking. They're slightly fragile, but should certainly hold together and retain their shape. If they don't, see my tip above about adding more flour or water.
Can you meal prep falafel? YES! Make the dough mixture and then freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Thaw the mixture in the fridge, stir it, then form in balls or patties and cook. Cooked falafel don't store well as the outside becomes soft.


https://downshiftology.com/recipes/falafel/