My Favorite Falafel Sandwich Food

ULTIMATE FALAFEL SANDWICH

Steps:

• Make the falafel. (Note: The dried chickpeas must be soaked overnight.) Use the refrigeration time for the falafel dough to do the steps below.
• If using homemade bread, make the flatbread (or make it in advance: it stores well!). If using store bought bread, warm the bread before serving in a 300 degree oven for a few minutes until pliable.
• Make the sauce: either Quick Cucumber Sauce, Cilantro Sauce, or Tahini Sauce.
• Chop the tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion.
• Slather the bottom of the pita with hummus or some of the sauce, then add the falafel, chopped vegetables, and chopped herbs. Liberally spoon over the sauce.

HOW TO MAKE FALAFEL

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!

FALAFEL WAFFLE SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the falafel waffles: Combine the falafel mix and baking powder in a medium bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, egg and 1 1/2 cups cold water in a separate bowl and stir into the falafel mix. Stir in the parsley and dill and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Preheat a waffle maker.
• Spray the waffle maker with cooking spray. Spread a quarter of the batter almost to the edges of it, close and bake until the waffle is crisp, lightly browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Use the remaining batter to make 3 more waffles. Keep the waffles warm on a baking sheet in the oven.
• For the sandwich fillings: To make the tzatziki, stir together the yogurt, parsley, dill, cucumber, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Mash the avocado in a separate small bowl with the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Brush the skillet lightly with olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook, tossing occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the onion and zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables are charred but still crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Remove to a separate plate.
• To serve, break the waffles at their natural divisions. Sandwich the meatballs in the waffles with the charred vegetables, tzatziki, avocado, feta and pickles, making 8 small sandwiches. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.

FALAFEL RECIPE

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas overnight in a generous amount of water.
• Drain chickpeas and add to a food processor.
• Add all other ingredients to the chickpeas.
• Process until well mixed and mixture resembles coarse wet sand.
• Use a falafel scooper or shape into balls using your hands.
• Deep fry until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve while hot.

MY FAVORITE FALAFEL

Steps:

• Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Let soak overnight, then drain. Or use canned chickpeas, drained.
• Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin. Process until blended but not pureed.
• Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse. You want to add enough bulgur or flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours.
• Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts, or use a falafel scoop, available in Middle-Eastern markets.
• Heat 3 inches of oil to 375ºF in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test. If it falls apart, add a little flour. Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, chopped tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and pickled turnips. Drizzle with tahina thinned with water.
• NOTE: Egyptians omit the cilantro and substitute fava beans for the chickpeas.
• Joan Nathan Shares Her Tips With Epicurious
• Tahina (also called tahini) is an oily paste made from ground sesame seeds. It is available in Middle Eastern markets and on Amazon. To garnish your falafel in true Israeli style, try adding one or several of the following condiments: harissa hot sauce, pickled turnip, mango amba (pickle), or sauerkraut.