Pistachio Falafel Food

FALAFEL

Steps:

• Heat 3 inches oil in large heavy pot to 365 degrees F.
• Add the drained chickpeas to a food processor. Pulse until the chickpeas begin to break down, about 30 seconds. Add the parsley, baking powder and water, cumin, coriander, cayenne, garlic, onion and 2 teaspoons salt. Process continuously, stopping to scrape down the bowl once halfway through, until a homogenous paste forms, about 2 minutes.
• Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or 2 tablespoons, scoop the falafel mixture into balls and carefully drop one at a time into the hot oil in batches of nine. Fry until very deep golden brown all over, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the falafel to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat the process with the remaining mixture.
• Serve the warm falafel with pita bread, lettuce, tomato, tahini, hot sauce and lemon wedges.

NANCY'S FALAFEL PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Combine the first six ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside the "falafel" spice.
• Line a plate with paper towels, Using a mandolin with a safety attachment to protect your fingers, cut the garlic cloves into paper-thin slices. Pour olive oil into a medium-size heavy skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the garlic slices and cook until crisp and light golden brown; do not burn or the garlic and oil will be unusable. Remove from the heat. Using a slotted utensil, immediately transfer the garlic chips to the prepared plate to drain. Reserve the garlic-cooking oil.
• Add the chilies and 2 tablespoons of the reserved garlic-cooking oil (save the remainder for another use) to a large heavy skillet. Set over medium-high heat. Add the pistachios and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the "falafel" spice and salt and stir until the pistachios are coated with spice and heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer the pistachios and chilies to a serving bowl. Add the garlic chips and toss well. Serve warm or at room temperature.