Falafel, a delightful Middle Eastern dish, is a culinary symphony of herbs, spices, and chickpeas, skillfully blended and fried until golden brown. These crispy, flavorful balls are often served in a pita pocket, accompanied by a vibrant array of accompaniments that elevate the experience to a delectable feast.
In this article, we present not one, but two tantalizing recipes for falafel: a classic version and a delectable variation that incorporates spinach for an added burst of color and nutrients. Both recipes are complemented by two luscious sauces: a creamy tahini sauce, rich with the nutty flavor of sesame seeds, and a refreshing cilantro sauce, bursting with herbaceousness.
With step-by-step instructions and a treasure trove of tips, we guide you through the art of creating perfectly crispy falafel that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of the Middle East. Whether you prefer the traditional route or are intrigued by the vibrant spinach falafel, this article has you covered.
So, gather your ingredients, don your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the authentic flavors of falafel, complemented by the irresistible duo of tahini and cilantro sauces.
EASY BAKED FALAFEL RECIPE WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Get ready for this Easy Baked Falafel Recipe with Tahini Sauce. It's a vegan-friendly Mediterranean-inspired dish that's filled with flavor and made complete with a delicious lemon juice tang.
Provided by Erin Morrissey
Categories dinner
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a dark baking sheet with olive or avocado oil.
- In a food processor, pulse onion, cilantro, parsley, and garlic until roughly chopped. About three pulses.
- Add in chickpeas, lemon, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pulse five times for about 1 full second, scraping down the side after three pulses. You do not want your mixture to turn into mush and want to have some small pieces of chickpeas throughout, however you do want it able to stick together, just not mush!
- Take out the blade and stir in the oat flour.
- Form into patties almost like making hamburgers, and place on greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 13 minutes, then flip, and bake another 13 minutes.
- While falafel is baking, make tahini sauce by combining all ingredients together in a bowl. Add as much water as needed for desired consistency.
- Serve! Store in fridge for up to 5 days or freezer for 3 months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 77 calories, Sugar 0.3 g, Sodium 400.5 mg, Fat 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 8.8 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 3.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
CLASSIC FALAFEL AND TAHINI SAUCE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: dried chickpea, water, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, fresh mint, garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, ground coriander, baking soda, sesame seed, salt, pepper, oil, sesame seed, sesame oil, olive oil, lemon juice
Provided by Gwenaelle Le Cochennec
Categories Appetizers
Yield 16 falafels
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Soak the chickpeas in the water for at least one night, ensuring that the chickpeas are fully submerged.
- Drain the chickpeas in a colander. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and add the chickpeas. Cover with more paper towels and let dry for at least 2 hours.
- Add the dried chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, coriander, mint, 5 cloves of garlic, onion, paprika, 2 teaspoons of cumin, ground coriander, baking soda, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and pepper, in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Use your hands to form falafel the size of a ping pong ball.
- Heat oil to 320°F (160°C) in a large pot.
- Add the falafel in batches, and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- To make tahini sauce, heat the sesame seeds in a frying pan over medium heat until the seeds brown slightly.
- Let cool for about 5 minutes and pour into a small blender or coffee grinder.
- Add the sesame oil and half of the olive oil and blend. Add the rest of the olive oil and blend again until you get a smooth mixture.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of cumin, 2 garlic cloves and lemon juice and blend.
- Serve the tahini sauce with falafel.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 156 calories, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 6 grams, Sugar 3 grams
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
There's not one "right" way to make a falafel. So if you like less onion, put in less onion. If you like more herbs, put in more herbs. More spice, more spice. It's really up to you.
Provided by Amanda Cohen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Make the spice mix: In a skillet over low heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Grind the toasted seeds in a spice grinder. Add the dried parsley, granulated garlic, chili powder, granulated onion, za'atar, sumac, allspice, chili flakes, a few turns of black pepper and continue grinding to combine. Set aside. Spice mix will keep for several weeks in an airtight jar.
- For the falafel: In a food processor, add the chickpeas, chopped onion and garlic, parsley, cilantro, baking soda, spice mix and salt. Pulse until the mixture's combined and the chickpeas are pea-size, stopping and stirring halfway through. Tightly pack the falafel mixture into balls the size of an extra large marble and set aside.
- Fry the falafel: Pour oil half full into a deep pan and set over medium heat. Secure a deep-fry thermometer to the pan's side and heat oil to 375 degrees F. Using a spider strainer, gently drop the falafel balls, one at a time, into the hot oil making sure the pot isn't overcrowded with falafel. Cook until most of the bubbles have disappeared and the falafel is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet to cool and repeat the process until all of the falafel balls are cooked.
- Make the tahini dressing and assemble the dish: In a blender add the garlic, water, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and lemon juice if necessary and blend again. Set aside. Tahini sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To serve, place falafel balls on a platter, drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge.
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Serve this traditional falafel from Michael's Genuine Food & Drink chef Michael Schwartz tucked inside pita bread for a satisfying sandwich or on its own as a protein-packed appetizer.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Makes about 2 dozen falafels
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Place bowl in refrigerator and let soak until the chickpeas swell to double their size, at least 12 hours and up to 24. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Transfer rinsed chickpeas to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well ground (about the consistency of cornmeal). Add onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper; process until mixture is pureed, scraping down sides as necessary. Falafel mixture can be made 3 to 4 days in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Fill a countertop electric fryer or a deep pot 3 inches high with oil. Heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Using your hands, form falafel mixture into a 1 3/4-inch balls, pressing tightly so that falafel does not fall apart while frying.
- Using a slotted spoon and working in batches, carefully add falafel to hot oil, gently nudging so they do not stick to the bottom. Fry, turning as needed, until crusty and dark brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer falafel to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve immediately with tahini and pickled vegetables.
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI AND CILANTRO SAUCES
This is a great vegetarian dish for lunch or dinner!! Crisp on the outside, tender in the middle. Add more pepper flakes to the cilantro sauce is you like more bite.
Provided by Diana Adcock
Categories Sauces
Time 41m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 32
Steps:
- In a food processor or blender mix together the first 11 ingredients until JUST smooth-a few small pieces is fine.
- Stir in the baking powder and flour mixing well.
- Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- (this is included in prep time).
- In the meantime in a food processor or blender combine the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cayenne-pulse to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have one.
- Set aside.
- In a food processor or blender combine the cilantro, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, peanut oil, vegetable oil, salt, pepper and sugar.
- Puree to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have another one.
- Set aside.
- Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes and wrap pitas in a JUST damp towel and place in the middle of a 250°F oven.
- Heat oil over medium high heat in a heavy skillet-you would only need around 2 inches of oil for this-or in a deep, heavy saucepan.
- Take about 2 T chickpea mixture and form into a ball, then press to form a small patty.
- Repeat until you have 3 or 4 and carefully place in hot oil with a slotted spoon.
- Fry 2 minutes, flip and fry for 2 minutes more.
- You want the falafel nice and golden brown.
- Repeat with remaining falafels.
- Drain on a rack with paper towels or newspaper underneath.
- Slice a warm pita in half, open and fill with lettuce and tomato, then 3 flalafels.
- Squirt in some tahini sauce and cilantro sauce.
- Serve.
SHRIMP AND CORN FALAFEL WITH CILANTRO TAHINI
Steps:
- Combine falafel mix with the stock or water and let stand 10 minutes.
- Sweat the shucked corn kernels and red onions in the butter until soft and fragrant, then let cool. Be careful not to overcook, cook just long enough so that the vegetables are crispy yet tender.
- Add all ingredients to the falafel mixture and mix well. Shape the mixture into small balls 1 1/2 inches diameter, or shape into patties about 2 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick.
- For best results, deep fry in 350 degree F oil until golden brown.
- Clean, chop, and quickly blanch the cilantro in boiling water. Shock immediately. Drain well.
- Put the tahini, and creme fraiche into a blender. With blade running, add cilantro. Blend until smooth. Mix cilantro puree with the tahini sauce and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Open pita pockets. Stuff with falafel, salad greens, and garnish with diced tomato and red onion if desired. Dress with cilantro tahini.
FALAFEL WITH TABBOULEH AND TAHINI SAUCE
This recipe plays up Middle Eastern flavors and includes lots of fresh green herbs in the tabbouleh and falafel. Adding pomegranate molasses to the tahini lightens up the fat content and the yogurt also gives the sesame paste the lighter acidic kick it needs, helping the lemon juice.
Provided by Anne Burrell
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings (12 falafel)
Number Of Ingredients 33
Steps:
- For the falafel: To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, cilantro, parsley, chickpea flour, ground cumin, salt, baking soda, onions and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and then pulse again to make sure the ingredients are fully combined. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the sesame seeds, baking powder and cayenne. Mix to combine.
- Scoop the mixture using a 3-ounce cookie scoop and place onto a sheet tray. Roll each falafel into a ball and then lightly squish into patties. Dust each patty with chickpea flour.
- Fill a large high-sided pan with 1 inch of canola oil and add the olive oil. Turn on the heat to low and gently heat the oil until it shimmers. Test the oil with a pinch of flour; if it sizzles, the oil is ready. Working in batches, fry the falafel, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, season immediately with kosher salt, then transfer to a sheet tray lined with a rack. Repeat with remaining falafel patties.
- For the tabbouleh: Add the bulgur and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into a large, heat-resistant bowl. Mix with a spoon to coat the bulgur with the oil. Cover the bulgur with the boiling water, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the soaked bulgur through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the water. Spread the bulgur onto a quarter sheet tray to cool.
- Add the garlic paste, lemon zest, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil into a large bowl and whisk to combine. Put the cooled bulgur, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, scallions, parsley and mint into another large bowl. Fold the dressing into the bulgur mixture and season with kosher salt to taste.
- For the tahini sauce: Add the tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses and kosher salt to taste into a bowl. Whisk to combine. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
- To serve, plate the romaine lettuce and top with the falafel. Serve alongside the toasted pita bread, tabbouleh and top with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Provided by Emeril Lagasse
Categories appetizer
Time 1h25m
Yield about 2 1/2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Drain and rinse both the fava beans as well as the chickpeas. Combine both beans in the bowl of a food processor, along with the onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, baking soda, salt, ground coriander, and cayenne, and pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until a coarse paste is formed. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, if needed to make the paste hold together - you will have to remove the lid of the processor and check this by pressing some of the mixture together between your fingers. Add a bit more water, if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to rest for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat at least 3-inches of oil in a saucepan or a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Scoop the fava-chick pea mixture into 1 1/2 to 2-tablespoon increments and, using your hands, shape into balls or patties about 1 1/2 to 2-inches in diameter. Gently lower the falafel balls into the hot oil (these are fragile - do not drop them or they will fall apart.) Fry the falafel in batches until crisp and brown, turning to promote even browning, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly before serving with the Tahini Sauce and pita bread, if using.
- Make the sauce by combining the tahini paste, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl and stirring to combine. Add the water a little at a time as needed to form a smooth, creamy sauce approximately the thickness of heavy cream. (Note that the sauce might appear to separate for a bit before enough water has been added; just keep adding more water bit by bit and stirring until the sauce comes together.) Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice, if necessary. Transfer to a nonreactive container and refrigerate until ready to serve the falafel.
HOW TO MAKE FALAFEL
Ready to learn how to make authentic falafel from scratch? My family's secret recipe for the Best Authentic Falafel, made with chickpeas, fresh herb, and spices is all you need! Be sure to check out the complete step-by-step tutorial, important tips for baking or frying falafel. And watch the video just above. What's your favorite way to enjoy falafel? I love them in warm pita sandwiches with tahini sauce or hummus, along with my lazy Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad. But you can enjoy it alongside other plates or as part of a mezze spread (lots of ideas below!)
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- (One day in advance) Place the dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water to cover the chickpeas by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight for 18 hours (longer if the chickpeas are still too hard). When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and pat them dry.
- Add the chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic and spices to the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Run the food processor 40 seconds at a time until all is well combined forming a the falafel mixture.
- Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or (up to one whole night) until ready to cook.
- Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon.
- Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into patties (1/2 inch in thickness each). It helps to have wet hands as you form the patties.
- Fill a medium saucepan 3 inches up with oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it bubbles softly. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and medium brown on the outside. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.
- Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Serve falafel hot next to other small plates; or assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with tahini or hummus, arugula, tomato and cucumbers. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Sugar 0.1 g, Sodium 131.1 mg, Fat 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 3.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Falafel, usually tucked into pita bread with lettuce, tomato, and tahini sauce, is one of the best-known Middle Eastern street foods. At home, falafels make a rustic hot hors d'oeuvre, with a bowl of creamy tahini sauce for dipping. These fry up just right: crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. The baking powder gives the falafels a little lift so they don't sit in your stomach like belly bombs! All the fresh herbs make for a vibrant flavor and super green color. The chickpeas need to soak for a bit, so plan accordingly. The falafels are amazing with Quick Pickled Vegetables (page 235).
Yield makes about 2 dozen falafels
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add cool water to cover by 3 inches. Soak the beans in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24; the chickpeas will swell to double their original size. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Put the soaked chickpeas in a food processor and pulse until well ground (about the consistency of cornmeal). Add the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper; process until the mixture is completely pureed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. If you have a small processor, you will have to do this in batches, but be sure to combine the batches in a mixing bowl at the end so all the ingredients are evenly distributed. You can make the falafel mixture 3 or 4 days in advance; store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Heat 3 inches of oil to 350°F in a countertop electric fryer or deep pot. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, a good way to test if the oil is hot enough is to stick the end of a wooden spoon or chopstick in it. If bubbles circle around the end, then you're good to go.
- Form the falafel mixture into golf-size balls with your hands. Be sure to press the mixture tightly; if the balls are too loose they'll fall apart. Carefully slip a few of the falafels at a time into the hot oil with a slotted spoon, gently nudging them so they don't stick to the bottom. Fry until the falafels are a crusty dark brown on all sides, turning as needed so there are no hot spots, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the falafels with a slotted spoon and drain on a platter lined with paper towels.
- To serve, arrange the falafels on a platter with a bowl of tahini sauce on the side for dipping.
- Combine the tahini, soy, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a blender. Process on high speed to make a smooth and creamy sauce. If the tahini sauce gets too thick as it sits, mix in a little bit of water or lemon juice to thin it out.
FALAFEL SANDWICH WITH SPICY TAHINI SAUCE
Nestled in pita bread, Middle Eastern falafel is draped with Spicy Tahini Sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place half the chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until chopped. Set aside in a bowl. Place remaining chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, lemon juice, and tahini in food processor; process until a coarse paste is formed, about 30 seconds. Add to bowl of chopped chickpeas; add egg, flour, and sesame seeds. Stir until combined. Shape into 12 two-inch patties.
- Heat oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add patties; cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from oil; place on a paper-towel-lined tray.
- Fill pitas with lettuce, tomato, onion, and falafel. Drizzle with tahini sauce; serve.
Tips for Making the Best Falafel with Tahini and Cilantro Sauces
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your falafel. Use fresh herbs, vegetables, and spices for the best flavor. Fresh chickpeas are the key to light and fluffy falafel. If you don't have time to soak and cook chickpeas, you can use canned chickpeas.
- Season the Falafel Well: Don't be afraid to season the falafel mixture generously. A good balance of spices will give them great flavor. Cumin, coriander, and paprika are classic falafel spices.
- Don't Overmix the Falafel Mixture: Overmixing will make the falafel tough. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Cover your falafel balls lightly so they don't turn brown before you fry them.
- Fry the Falafel Until Golden Brown: The falafel should be fried until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. This will ensure that they are cooked through. Use a deep fryer or a large skillet with plenty of oil to fry the falafel.
- Make the Sauces Ahead of Time: The tahini sauce and cilantro sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. This will save you time when you are ready to serve the falafel.
Conclusion
Falafel with tahini and cilantro sauces is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. The falafel are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the sauces are creamy and flavorful. With a little planning, you can easily make this dish at home. Serve the falafel with pita bread, vegetables, and hummus for a complete meal. These are the tips and conclusion for making falafel with tahini and cilantro sauces.
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