Falafel and Tahini Mediterranean Twist
Falafel, a Middle Eastern street food staple, is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course. This recipe provides a simple and authentic method for making falafel at home, using a combination of chickpeas, spices, and herbs. The result is a crisp and flavorful falafel that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tahini, hummus, or tzatziki.
Falafel has a long and storied history, dating back to the 10th century. The dish is believed to have originated in Egypt, where it was originally made with fava beans. Over time, chickpeas became the more popular ingredient, and falafel spread throughout the Middle East and beyond. Today, falafel is a beloved street food in many countries around the world.
Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- Chickpeas
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Tahini
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Soak chickpeas overnight.
- Process chickpeas, onion, garlic, cumin, and coriander into a coarse mixture.
- Form mixture into balls and fry until golden brown.
- In a bowl, combine tahini, lemon juice, and water.
- Season tahini sauce with salt and pepper.
- Serve falafel with tahini sauce.
Why It Works
- Soaking the chickpeas overnight helps to soften them, making them easier to grind into a smooth paste.
- The combination of cumin, coriander, and garlic gives the falafel a distinctive flavor.
- Frying the falafel until golden brown creates a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
- The tahini sauce provides a creamy and tangy complement to the falafel.