Pages

Monday, September 14, 2009

not awful


G
ather around vegetarians I am going to show you falafel, one of my favorite vegetarian delights. Falafel has got umami as far as I am concerned. There are plenty of falafel places around NYC where you can get a hot and tasty sandwich for around three bucks, but if you were me you would decide that was too convenient and you would endeavor to make your own.



So instead of it taking a few minutes to pick one up and wolf it down I made an afternoon out of it. Fresh falafel is like nothing else and when I say fresh I am not talking about a reconstituted dry mix.



"But the falafel houses all make theirs fresh." You would say and you would be right but I wanted to make my own.

I used this basic recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas or 16 oz. can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Oil for frying

Preparation:

Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, covering with cold water. Allow to soak overnight. Omit this step if using canned beans.

Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste), add flour and pulse in a food processor resulting in a thick paste.

Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball.

Fry in 2 inches of oil at 350 degrees until golden brown (5-7 minutes).



Serve hot.

50 comments:

nora@ffr said...

Never had this before, sounds really delicious

The Diva on a Diet said...

Do my eyes deceive me ... or is that a recipe?! ;)

Now I'm going to have to make this for lunch this week. I hope mine turn out as yummy looking as yours. Thanks!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I never actually knew the recipe for this, which just means I don't get out enough. Love chick peas, so I will give this a try.

Angelia McGowan said...

I love falafel's, but never thought to make them. Oddly enough, we actually have a great Israeli place across the street from our house that has great ones, so I get my fix there. I think there the only Kosher place anywhere around, lucky for me they are close. Its no NYC down here! They look easy enough for me too!

Jenn said...

Whoa...a recipe and it's for something I love to eat. You must be think of me right? I've been looking forever to a recipe that didn't have too many ingredients. You put one up and it looks perfect. Definitely saving this.

Christo Gonzales said...

nora: really?

diva: I said I would try and post recipes now and again...

TW: it is so easy it makes the 3 bucks seem expensive

angelia: this is as kosher as I could make it with out an actual rabbi present

jenn: this has ONLY flavor!

Christo Gonzales said...

jenn: I just realized you might be baking this - I cant wait to see!

Sippity Sup said...

"Not Awful" is a very bad title for a food blog post. But I diligently read every word and I agree,"not awful". In fact... oh wait my internet connection is fail...in....g... GREG

Christo Gonzales said...

greg: it rhymes - what can I say...I am so dorky sometimes...(it rhymes with falafel if you need the extra coaching)

♥peachkins♥ said...

This is interesting as I've never had falafel..

Cynthia said...

This is one of those things that's on my must-make list. Tell me, is it the herbs that have given your that rich green colour?

Heather S-G said...

They looks delish...I heart falafel! That last picture...ugh, I want to dive in! :D

Reeni said...

I love these!!! They look so yummy!!

Pam said...

I love falafel but have never made it on my own. I love the green color of yours - it looks mighty tasty.

theUngourmet said...

A recipe! :0)

Falafel is one of my most favorite things on the planet!

Do not ever try the boxed (powdered stuff that is reconstituted with water)falafels, they are horrid!

Just telling it like it is said...

See that is why I need to come to NY...3.00$ for some fancy food!!

Anette said...

I DO like the look of that!
And I will make it, very soon. I haven't eaten it so many times in my life, but when I did, I liked it very much. Lovely color!

tavolini said...

Yum. I would eat that! Looks fantastic...and you posted a recipe! Very cool.

buffalodick said...

Thought I commented... Again, which category in contest are you shooting to win?

Reeni said...

I woke up during the night and all I could think of were these falafel!! I had to come back and have another look.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I've never heard of this before, but i love making things with chick peas. i am going to try this one!

teresa said...

it is with great shame that i admit that i have never had falafel, but it looks wonderful!

Christo Gonzales said...

peachkins: it is good and nutritious

cynthia: yes the parsley and the cilantro make it green

girli: dive away!

reeni: you should taste them...

pam: every now and then I feel the vegetarian pull and this is what hits the spot

ungourmet: I imagine the boxed variety to not be as green

justtelling: sounds like a good enough reason to me

anette: it is filling and not filling at the same time

tavolini: I thought you would like this..

buff: I posted twice in one day - maybe thats throwing you off

reeni: I did the same thing!

katherine: you are going to enjoy it...

teresa: its all vegetable...

vanillasugarblog said...

one of the many reasons I come to nyc--is to get the real deal falafel. I try to make my own, but never do. I love mine with hummus and tons of that tahini/lemon sauce and then what's that other sauce? The white stuff? I like that on there too. Oh and tons of red onions too. Damn! I'm starved

Mo Diva said...

bless your heart!

Mo Diva said...

Do you think this would work if I broiled them?

Christo Gonzales said...

dawn: you like it like I like it and I will sometimes have babaganoush in mine

mo: I dont know how they would do under the broiler...

FOODalogue said...

My absolute favorite mall food lunch! O.K. that's not home-made so kudos to you for doing it in your kitchen. I'm inspired to try it.

Yasmeen said...

yum!love all the greens in the falafel :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I've never tried falafel and didn't know how to go about making it. Thanks for the good tips.
Sam

lisaiscooking said...

I'm making the mistake of looking at food blogs while I'm really hungry. Your falafel have put me over the edge. I need a snack!

Unknown said...

I always wondered exactly what falafel was - thanks for the enlightenment!

CheapAppetite said...

I never seen uncook falafel before. Looks really interesting:) I like falafel.

The Duo Dishes said...

No falafel could be awful. What is this with posting a recipe? Wow, are there changes in the air? :)

Christo Gonzales said...

joan: mall food? interesting.

yasmeen: the greens really make it for me too - and it stayed green even the next day

sam: you are very welcome!

lisa: there should be a name for that condition as I tend to do it as well...

valleywriter: it is really simple stuff

cheapappetite: it looks more enticing to see it uncooked - to me.

duo: what else rhymes with falafel? and why do I need to rhyme? about the recipe - I try and post them now and again - it isnt easy as I rarely follow one and I followed this one in reverse after I made the stuff! does that make sense?

Diana H said...

I've never had falafel, so hummus balls(kind of) wouldn't have been my guess. You're right, you should attempt to make something you like to eat, it's a great way to know your food.

Melody said...

Had my first falafel on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem and my eyes were opened. It was actually the best thing I ate in Israel except for the Wendy's by the hotel. Wasn't a big fan of the food there!
This looks really great. The sauce is my favorite part.

Anonymous said...

Did the first pic make it to Twitter? I think I saw it there. Anyway, it looks super duper fantastic. Man, love the little burnt crisp on the exterior.

p.s. I still don't think I can go 100% veggie though. What abt you?

Nutmeg Nanny said...

These look great but I have to admit I have never had one. I know I have seen them all the time in the city (NY) but next time I should give them a try:)

Tanya Kristine said...

mm..i love falafel. with a side of warmed hummus drenched in fine olive oil.

pinknest said...

Simply love falafel. I've never made it on my own, except from that dry mix which, rightly so, was repulsive. Yours looks perfectly scrumptious.

Jessie said...

I never had falafel but that looks wonderful, I love your vegetarian version of this dish.

Heff said...

That looks GREAT. Hell, I can down a can of Garbonzo beans BY THEMSELVES !

Hey, I've got the Culinary Challenge post up, If you're interested. It's an EASY one !

Anonymous said...

A homemade falafel sandwich sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

Angie's Recipes said...

Love falafel....thanks, Christo, finally a detailed recipe!

Angie's Recipes

pigpigscorner said...

oh my..they are so green...looks better fried!

The Blonde Duck said...

I never heard of falafel!

deb said...

i've always wanted to make these. my fear is they're dry? i had a bad one once and that was the last time I tried falawfuls. looks tasty on your side of the blog.

Stacey Snacks said...

reading this post from Paris, going to have some falafel in the Marais tomorrow!
I am addicted!

s said...

falafel...my fav!!!

Blog Widget by LinkWithin