Dive into the Flavors of the Middle East
Ingredients:
For the Falafel:
- 2 cups dried chickpeas
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Hummus:
- 400g cooked chickpeas
- 1/2 cup tahini
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water (or more, to taste)
- Cumin powder to taste
- Salt to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to finish
To Serve:
- Pita bread
- Fresh salad (cucumber, tomato, red onion)
- Tahini
- Sesame seeds
A Symphony of Flavors: Preparing Falafel and Hummus
- Falafel:
- Soak the chickpeas for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain the chickpeas and process them in a blender until they form a thick paste.
- Add the onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, spices and salt to the chickpea paste and process again until well combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat.
- With damp hands, shape the falafel dough into flat, round balls.
- Fry the falafel in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain the falafel on paper towels and set aside.
- Hummus:
- In a food processor, combine the cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, water, ground cumin, and salt.
- Process until you get a creamy, smooth texture, adding more water if necessary.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and cumin to taste.
- Transfer the hummus to a plate and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sesame seeds.
A Celebration of Flavors and Traditions
Serve the crispy falafel warm with creamy hummus, pita bread, fresh salad and tahini to taste. Experiment with different spice combinations to customize the flavor of your falafel and hummus.
Dip your falafel into the hummus, savor the explosion of textures and spices, and be transported to the vibrant streets of Palestine with every bite.
