Classic Crispy Falafel Food

HOW TO MAKE PERFECTLY CRISPY FALAFEL

Steps:

• Rinse the dried chickpeas then place into a large bowl and cover with cool water by about 4 inches. Cover and soak overnight or until the beans triple in size. Drain the soaked chickpeas, rinse, and then pat dry or add to a salad spinner to spin dry.
• Add chickpeas, scallions, garlic, herbs, salt, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cayenne, black pepper, and the baking powder to a bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until very finely minced, but not pureed, scraping the bowl down as necessary. You should be able to press a handful together and have it hold it's shape (it will be loose and a little crumbly). See our video and photos above for reference.
• Transfer the falafel mix to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to help the balls hold together when cooking. If making ahead, you can refrigerate the mixture for a few days.
• Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the falafel mix then gently shape it into a ball and place onto a clean plate. Repeat with as many falafel as you plan to cook. The mix will not act like dough, but will hold its shape. Watch the video to see how we do this. Optional step: As an extra fail-safe for preventing the balls from falling apart when they hit the oil, rest the falafel balls in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes before cooking.
• Add at least 3/4 inch of oil to a deep saucepan, cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. The smaller the pan, the less oil you will need. The wider the pan, the more falafel you can cook at one time).
• Turn the heat to medium-high and heat the oil to between 350 degrees and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fry the falafel in batches, placing them gently into the oil and without crowding in the pan, until they are browned on the bottom sides. Using two forks, carefully flip the falafel to brown the other side, 3 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes total.
• Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate lined with paper towel, sprinkle with a little salt, and then repeat with the remaining falafel balls. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC CRISPY FALAFEL

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas in water to cover for 12 hours.
• Boil in large saucepan for about 20 minutes, until soft (or you can use canned chickpeas, if desired).
• Drain and blend in food processor to a smooth paste.
• Soak bulghur in water to cover for 1 hour.
• Crush garlic with salt.
• Combine all ingredients except oil.
• Shape into balls and shallow-fry until brown (you can deep-fry if you like, or coat lightly with oil and bake until golden).
• The yield depends on the size of the falafels you prefer.

FALAFEL

Steps:

• Place dried chickpeas in a bowl and cover with cold water.
• Soak for at least 15 hours.
• Then drain the chickpeas and place them in a food processor with the scallions, garlic, parsley, mint, chili, salt, cumin, and coriander.
• Mix baking with the warm water and add mixture to food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer mixture into a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pan to 375 degrees F.
• When falafel mixture is chilled, roll into golf-sized balls.
• Carefully place a few at a time into the hot oil, making sure they don't stick to the bottom. Cook, turning, for about 6 minutes, or until the balls are a dark, even brown on all sides. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve either in sandwiches or as a falafel first course.
• Serve with a yogurt sauce.

CRISPY FRIED FALAFEL

Steps:

• In a bowl add broad beans and chick peas then pour water into the bowl to cover the beans. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and all them to soak overnight.
• Drain the broad beans and chick peas then remove and discard shells.
• Place beans in a large food processor, add parsley, mint, coriander, onion, garlic, dried coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and salt. Process until it's all chopped up and mixed.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add bicarbonate of soda. Knead the combine thoroughly, cover with cling wrap and leave to rest in fridge for about one hour.
• After one hour make patties. To do this mould the mixture into walnut size ball and then flatten it slightly, place it on a tray. Repeat step until mixture is complete.
• Heat the vegetables oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Once heated gently lower the patties into the hot oil in batches, (patties will be delicate and may not hold its shape). Deep fry for about five to six minutes, once cooked place them on clean paper towels to drain oil. Repeat step until all patties have been cooked.
• Serve the falafel either hot or cold and enjoy.