Shrimp And Corn Falafel With Cilantro Tahini Food

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!

SHRIMP & CORN STIR-FRY

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add squash and onion; stir-fry until squash is crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes. , Add next 6 ingredients and, if desired, pepper flakes; stir-fry until shrimp turn pink, 3-4 minutes longer. Top with basil. Serve with rice if desired.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the spice mix: In a skillet over low heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Grind the toasted seeds in a spice grinder. Add the dried parsley, granulated garlic, chili powder, granulated onion, za'atar, sumac, allspice, chili flakes, a few turns of black pepper and continue grinding to combine. Set aside. Spice mix will keep for several weeks in an airtight jar.
• For the falafel: In a food processor, add the chickpeas, chopped onion and garlic, parsley, cilantro, baking soda, spice mix and salt. Pulse until the mixture's combined and the chickpeas are pea-size, stopping and stirring halfway through. Tightly pack the falafel mixture into balls the size of an extra large marble and set aside.
• Fry the falafel: Pour oil half full into a deep pan and set over medium heat. Secure a deep-fry thermometer to the pan's side and heat oil to 375 degrees F. Using a spider strainer, gently drop the falafel balls, one at a time, into the hot oil making sure the pot isn't overcrowded with falafel. Cook until most of the bubbles have disappeared and the falafel is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet to cool and repeat the process until all of the falafel balls are cooked.
• Make the tahini dressing and assemble the dish: In a blender add the garlic, water, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and lemon juice if necessary and blend again. Set aside. Tahini sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To serve, place falafel balls on a platter, drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge.

HOMEMADE TAHINI

Steps:

• Put the sesame seeds in a food processor and blend on high until the mixture turns crumbly, about 1 minute. Add the oil and blend on high, stopping every minute or so to scrape down the sides, until the mixture is completely smooth, 5 to 8 minutes. You might need to add another tablespoon of oil to reach the desired consistency. The tahini should be smooth and pourable. Store in a clean jar in the refrigerator for about a month and give it a good stir before using.

TEXAS WON TONS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot with 3 quarts of water to a boil over medium heat.
• Add the lemons, onion, spice mix and the corn. Let boil for about 5 minutes before adding the shrimp. Cook the shrimp until they curl, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the mixture and remove the shrimp to a strainer. Run cold water over them to stop them from cooking. Cut the corn off the husk and add the kernels to a large bowl. Add the jalapenos, cream cheese, butter, salt and pepper and stir gently to combine. Coarsely chop the shrimp and gently mix them into the corn mixture.
• Lay the won ton wrappers out on flat surface and put 1 teaspoon of the corn mixture in the middle of each wrapper. With your finger or a pastry brush, coat the outside edges of the wrappers with beaten egg. Fold the 4 corners of the wrappers to the top and seal down the sides, bring careful to push out all the air. Make sure you get a tight seal on all of the seams. Fry the won tons in the hot oil until they are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oil and arrange on a serving plate. Serve with the dipping sauce.
• For the dipping sauce:
• Add all the ingredients in a serving bowl and mix well to combine.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI AND CILANTRO SAUCES

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender mix together the first 11 ingredients until JUST smooth-a few small pieces is fine.
• Stir in the baking powder and flour mixing well.
• Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• (this is included in prep time).
• In the meantime in a food processor or blender combine the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cayenne-pulse to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have one.
• Set aside.
• In a food processor or blender combine the cilantro, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, peanut oil, vegetable oil, salt, pepper and sugar.
• Puree to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have another one.
• Set aside.
• Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes and wrap pitas in a JUST damp towel and place in the middle of a 250°F oven.
• Heat oil over medium high heat in a heavy skillet-you would only need around 2 inches of oil for this-or in a deep, heavy saucepan.
• Take about 2 T chickpea mixture and form into a ball, then press to form a small patty.
• Repeat until you have 3 or 4 and carefully place in hot oil with a slotted spoon.
• Fry 2 minutes, flip and fry for 2 minutes more.
• You want the falafel nice and golden brown.
• Repeat with remaining falafels.
• Drain on a rack with paper towels or newspaper underneath.
• Slice a warm pita in half, open and fill with lettuce and tomato, then 3 flalafels.
• Squirt in some tahini sauce and cilantro sauce.
• Serve.