Great Recipe for Falafel Step by Step

Falafel is a popular dish originating from the Middle East and is enjoyed worldwide. This delicious dish, primarily made from chickpeas and spices, is also a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. Additionally, it is highly nutritious and easy to prepare at home. So why not make your own falafel?

Ingredients for Falafel

To prepare homemade falafel, you will need a few basic ingredients. As you get better at making it, you can slightly adjust the recipe according to your family's tastes.

1 cup of dried chickpeas (or 2 cans of chickpeas), 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped, 1 handful of fresh parsley, chopped, 1 handful of fresh coriander, chopped, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (to taste), 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 2-3 tablespoons of plain flour (as needed), oil for frying.

Method

First, prepare the chickpeas. If using dried chickpeas, soak them in water overnight, for at least 12 hours. Then drain and dry them. If using canned chickpeas, simply drain and rinse them. Once the chickpeas are ready, place them in a food processor along with the onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt.

Blend all the ingredients together until a fine mixture forms. Ensure that the mixture is not completely smooth; it should have a slightly coarse texture. Then add the baking powder and flour to the mixture and mix well. If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more flour to ensure it holds together when pressed in your hand.

Once the mixture is ready, shape it into small balls or patties about 3-4 cm in diameter. Try to make all the falafels the same size so they fry evenly. Now heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the falafels into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, which should take about 3-4 minutes on each side. After frying, remove the falafels from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Your first falafel is ready to serve. You can serve it in pita bread with tahini sauce and fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, or use it as part of salads or a standalone snack with various dips. Falafel is not only delicious but also very healthy, as it is packed with proteins, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals from the chickpeas and other ingredients. Get started on making this great dish and bring a touch of Middle Eastern exoticism right into your kitchen!

Falafel might find its way into your favorite meals

Chickpeas are rich in proteins, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. This makes falafel a great choice for anyone looking to eat healthily and balanced. Falafel is not only tasty and nutritious but also an easily prepared dish that you can customize to your liking. You can experiment with different spices, add various herbs to the mixture, or even vegetables like spinach or sweet peppers to make your falafel even more interesting.

Preparing falafel isn't difficult at all, and you can be sure of what your dish contains. And who knows, falafel might become your new favorite food! Not only will it delight your taste buds, but it will also enrich your diet with valuable nutrients. Start preparing and surprise yourself and your loved ones with this delicious and healthy dish.