For the love of Falafel

Scrumptious 

It is a little late this post. Excuse my absence, but it has been really busy around here lately.Two deaths, one funereal, three colds, and a house full of guests preoccupying my time.At times like these I want scrumptious food something that makes my soul cozy and relaxed. I thought falafel would be just the ticket to give me inner peace.
I am an avid lover of anything middle eastern, and nothing screams middle eastern than a good falafel. I scoured the web looking for a great recipe, and Dedemed Mediterranean Cooking recipes www.dedemed.com did it for me. Easy to follow, and she hosts how to video's and a list of all her own homemade spices and home cooked recipes for any level of cook.

pre-soaked garbanzo beans, and fava white beans

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried garbanzo beans
• 1½ cups dried fava beans
• 1 cup cilantro (coriander leaves)
• ½ cup flat leaf parsley
• 1 large yellow onion 
• 8 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp dried coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 3-4 tbsp. dried bread crumbs (or more to help bind)
• 1 tsp baking soda added before frying
• ½ tsp baking powder added before frying
• Vegetable oil for frying ( I used peanut oil) in a 2-3 inch deep frying pan

Directions:

Blitzed beans in mix master until they look like this

Soak the dried garbanzo and fava beans overnight. Garbanzo beans are also commonly called chickpeas. Use bowls that are large enough to accommodate the swelling beans and cover with enough cool water to allow all the beans enough room to soften. If you notice over the day or before you go to bed that the water level is not sufficient add more water to cover.(If living in Sweden, I used Stora Vita bönor from RISENTA in the health food section of your local grocery store.)

all the herbs,onion and garlic mixed -smells wonderful

fried until golden

yummy, wrapped in Liba bread or pita

After the beans have soaked overnight. In your mix master, add the drained beans and chop and blend the beans in a food processor until the beans are the consistency of a well chopped mix. (See photo above).Put in a large bowl and set aside. Without cleaning your food processing bowl, add your onion, garlic,fresh coriander, and fresh parsley and blend the same way as you did the beans.Add to the mixed beans and set aside. Meanwhile,add your breadcrumbs and all your dried herbs, the cumin,dried coriander,salt, black pepper cayenne pepper if using and mix well.
Taste to see if you would like to add more salt or pepper. Add your baking powder and your baking soda, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to let it set. Meanwhile turn on your stove to medium-low heat, watch it carefully. Add your oil about 1-2 inches and let it heat up. Take a little pre- made falafel ball or pattie and do a tester. If it starts to fall apart in the oil, then you need to add a little more bread crumbs( about 2 tbsp or some flour to help bind.( This is caused by the amount of moister in the beans.) Re test a ball or pattie, and when they are holding together better; you can continue to add your falafel balls to the oil and continually turn them until they are nice and golden.Transfer to a plate with a couple of pieces of paper towel to help them drain.

Serve warm with your favorite sauce, pita bread, pickled root vegetables, or sliced fresh tomatoes, onions, cucumber and enjoy.