18+ Middle East Food Falafel Recipe Delight In These Amazing Recipes!
Published on: Mar 2, 2024
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish that has gained worldwide recognition for its bold flavors and delicious crunch. This vegetarian-friendly dish is made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices, and is typically served in a pita wrap or as part of a mezze platter. In this article, we will share with you our favorite falafel recipe, along with some tips and tricks to make the perfect batch of Middle Eastern falafel.
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Dried Chickpeas, Red Onion, Fresh Parsley
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Baked Falafel Patties with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Onion, Chopped Parsley, Chopped Cilantro
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California Pizza Kitchen’s Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza...
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast Boneless, Caesar Dressing, Middle East
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Falafel
Main Ingredients: Dried Chickpeas, Water, White Onion, Fresh Cilantro
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Baked Candied Yams - Soul Food Style
Main Ingredients: Yams, Salted Butter, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg
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Easy Falafel
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Garlic, Lemon, Cumin, All Purpose Flour
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Crispy Baked Falafel
Main Ingredients: Dried Chickpeas, Red Onion, Fresh Parsley, Garlic
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Falafel Sauce (Taratoor)
Main Ingredients: Lemon, Tahini, Salt, Water
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FALAFEL
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Cilantro Leaves
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Easy Homemade Falafel
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Lemon Juice, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Chopped
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Falafel Lettuce Wraps
Main Ingredients: Fresh Cilantro, Tahini, Water, Fresh Lemon Juice
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Falafel Curry
Main Ingredients: Falafel, Tomato Puree, Coconut Milk, Oil, Salt, Ginger
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Traditional Falafel
Main Ingredients: Water, Clove, Onion, Coriander, Cumin, Parsley, Salt
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Falafel Fattoush from Real Food, Really Fast
Main Ingredients: Pita Breads, Cherry Tomatoes, Persian Cucumber
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Homemade Falafel
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Parsley, Garlic Cloves, All Purpose Flour
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Turkey Breast Fingers With Avocado Dip
Main Ingredients: Weetabix, Parmesan, Dried Thyme, Oregano, Smoked
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Harissa Lamb Cutlets With Pomegranate Couscous
Main Ingredients: Greek Yogurt, Harissa Harissa, Lamb Cutlet, Couscous
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Quick and Easy Falafel
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Onion, Garlic, Fresh Parsley, Chopped Fresh
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Roasted Vegetable Baby Food
Main Ingredients: Root Vegetable, Olive Oil
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Chickpea-falafel Burger
Main Ingredients: Oats, Chickpeas, Garlic Cloves, Green Onions, Egg
The Secret to Perfectly Crispy Falafel
Use Dried Chickpeas Instead of Canned
One of the key ingredients in falafel is chickpeas, and while many recipes call for canned chickpeas, using dried chickpeas will give you a much better result. Canned chickpeas are already cooked and have a higher water content, which can make the falafel mixture too wet and result in a soggy texture. Dried chickpeas, on the other hand, have a lower water content and will produce a drier mixture, making it easier to form into balls and fry to perfection.
Soak the Chickpeas Overnight
To ensure that your dried chickpeas are soft enough to blend into a smooth mixture, they need to be soaked overnight. This step helps to soften the chickpeas and makes them easier to grind into a paste. Soaking also helps to remove any impurities and makes the chickpeas more digestible.
Don't Overwork the Mixture
When blending the chickpeas with the herbs and spices, it's important not to overwork the mixture. This can result in a tough and dense falafel instead of a light and crispy one. Blend the mixture until it is just combined, and then use your hands to form the falafel balls, being careful not to compact the mixture too much.
Fry in Hot Oil
To achieve the perfect crispy texture, the falafel balls need to be fried in hot oil. The oil should be heated to 375°F (190°C) before adding the falafel. If the oil is not hot enough, the falafel will absorb too much oil and become greasy. Use a thermometer to ensure that the oil stays at the right temperature throughout the frying process.
Drain on Paper Towels
Once the falafel balls are fried to a golden brown, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil. This step is crucial in keeping the falafel crispy and preventing them from becoming soggy.
Now that you know the secrets to making perfect falafel, it's time to try out this delicious Middle Eastern dish for yourself. Serve it with some creamy tahini sauce, fresh veggies, and warm pita bread for a satisfying and flavorful meal that will transport you to the streets of the Middle East.