Best 2 Seans Falafel And Cucumber Sauce Recipes

Falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, is a delectable combination of herbs, spices, and chickpeas that are blended together and deep-fried until golden brown. These crispy balls of goodness are often served in pita bread with various toppings and sauces, making them a versatile and satisfying meal. Accompanying the falafel is a refreshing cucumber sauce, known as tzatziki, which adds a cooling and creamy contrast to the savory falafel. This sauce is made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs, and its tangy flavor perfectly complements the richness of the falafel. Whether you're a seasoned falafel enthusiast or new to this culinary delight, this recipe provides step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating authentic and delicious falafel and cucumber sauce at home.

**Additional Notes:**

* The article also includes a recipe for homemade pita bread, providing a complete falafel experience.
* For those with dietary restrictions, the recipe offers gluten-free and vegan variations of the falafel, ensuring inclusivity.
* Tips and tricks are shared throughout the article to help readers achieve the perfect texture and flavor in their falafel.
* The recipe includes suggestions for additional toppings and sauces to customize the falafel to individual preferences.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SEAN'S FALAFEL AND CUCUMBER SAUCE RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce Recipe - (4.7/5) image

Provided by CandyH

Number Of Ingredients 24

Ingredients

For Sauce:
1 (6 ounce) container plain yogurt
1/2 cucumber - peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)
For Falafel:
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 egg
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup dry bread crumbs
oil for frying
2 pita breads, cut in half (optional)
1 cup chopped tomatoes (optional)

Steps:

1.In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes. 2.In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. (I chop the vegetables by hand. Just chop them fine.) Stir into mashed chickpeas. 3.In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties. 4.Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. Serve two falafels in each pita half topped with chopped tomatoes and cucumber sauce.

EASY BAKED FALAFEL WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Easy Baked Falafel with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce image

Try this Middle Eastern sandwich of chickpea and spice 'meatballs,' which are actually falafel that are oven-fried to keep their calorie count down. Serve with grilled pita wedges or pita pockets, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cucumber slices.

Provided by Wyome

Categories Main Dish Recipes Sandwich Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
¾ onion, diced
¼ cup packed chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 small lemon, zested
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon baking powder
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup seeded and minced cucumber, squeezed dry
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
salt to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

Steps:

Coat a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray and 1 tablespoon olive oil and place inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). C
Combine chickpeas, onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and baking powder in a food processor. Pulse until minced but not yet pasty. Transfer to a bowl and stir in flour and egg until fully incorporated.
Remove baking pan from the oven. Drop golfball-sized portions of chickpea mixture onto the hot pan.
Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes. Brush falafel with remaining olive oil and flip over. Continue baking until golden on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes more.
Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serve falafel with yogurt sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.8 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 8.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 586.6 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

Tips:

To make the falafel extra crispy, double coat them in the breadcrumb mixture and fry them in hot oil until golden brown.
For a more flavorful falafel, use a variety of herbs and spices in the mixture, such as cumin, coriander, and paprika.
If you don't have a falafel maker, you can shape the falafel mixture into balls by hand. Just be sure to pack them tightly so they don't fall apart.
The cucumber sauce is a great way to add a refreshing touch to the falafel. Be sure to use fresh cucumbers and herbs for the best flavor.
Falafel and cucumber sauce can be served as a main course or as a side dish. They're also great for parties and potlucks.

Conclusion:

Sean's falafel and cucumber sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for any occasion. The falafel are crispy and flavorful, and the cucumber sauce is a refreshing and tangy complement. Whether you're serving it as a main course or a side dish, this dish is sure to be a hit.