Monday, February 18, 2008

Falafel Sandwich

Falafel always brings fond memories of the time we spent in Egypt. I was in Egypt for about 3 months while DH was working on a project there. His team lead made sure I got a part in the project so my skills don't rust and I am so glad he did, the experience of working in a project with several colloborators was once in a lifetime experience. Every morning on our way to work we'd pick up a few orders of Falafel for lunch at a small take out place called El Amda. Falafel, phool, Koshary were some of our regular dishes, which were very close in taste for an Indian palate. When I saw Siri's Oven Baked Falafel, these memories came back in a rush. It was time to coook up this tasty and easy dish.

Recipe Source: Oven Baled Falafel


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Ingredients
1. 2 Cups of Chickpeas soaked overnight
2. 1/2 Medium Red Onion chopped
3. 4 Cloves Garlic
4. 1 tbsp coriander powder
5. 2 tsp cumin powder
6. 1/2 tbsp red chili powder
7. 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
8. 2 Whole Wheat bread toasted and crushed
9. 1 tbsp flour
10. Salt to taste
11. 1/2 -1 tbsp oil
12. 1 tbsp yougurt (optional, to keep the patties moist, I did not add it though)


Method
1. Blend the chickpeas to a coarse paste
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and let rest for a couple of hours
3. Form round shaped and place on a baking sheet sprayed with oil
4. Spray the falafel on top with oil spray
5. Preheat oven to 350 F and bake the falafel for about 20 minutes, flip and cook for 10 minutes on the other side


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Sandwich Assembly
1. 4-5 Pita Bread, heated lightly and split
2. Ranch dressing
3. cucumber slices
4. Slice tomato
5. chili garlic sauce
6. Greek Yogurt
7. Hummus

Spread hummus on the pita and place one or two falafel pieces into the pocket, place cucumber slices, tomato slices, drizzle with ranch dressing, greek yogurt.

19 comments:

  1. Definitely a healthier alternative to fried patties for falafel! Looks very yummy, too. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  2. I have been meaning to make falafels for a long time, but with so many new things to try, i have not yet made these. they look delish.

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  3. Falafel and pita is always a yummy combination! I can have it any time! Love the idea for baked falafel.

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  4. Never tried making falafel, but you're tempting me ISG :)

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  5. Loved the idea of baking the falfel in the oven? I had some questions. Does the patties dry up and turn hard? Can it be kept for a while?

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  6. WOW! You were in Egypt? And that too for three months? That is amazing... I want to visit the pyramids one day... sigh...

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  7. u were in egypt for 3 months? thats so cool:)
    i follow shallow fry for falfel but oven bakes is much more heathier than anything else.

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  8. Kalai, taste wise there is not much difference so give the baking a try.

    Vimmi time to try :)

    Musical, ofcourse, baking makes things a lot easier and prep is minimal and quick.

    Linda, easy peasy, try it!

    Red chillies, very good question. It is a little dry compared to deep fried ones but once the dressing and yougurt sauce is added it does not feel dry.
    Add a 1 tbsp of yogurt into the batter, will help keep it moist.

    Moreover if you do save some of them, spraying oil and reheating in a toaster oves makes them good as new.

    Sig, it was a great trip, I would love to go back for a few more months :)

    Sia, shallow fry has a different taste (nothing replaces fat) but this is quick and easy and tastewise not too bad.

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  9. Indo, you lived in Egypt! How lucky!! I alaways wanted to visit Egypt, may be one day. Falafel looks yummy, I love the crunch. Baked sounds great!:)

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  10. Falafel is a great way to go. I love adding tahini over it and stuffing the sandwich with a lot of salad. The ranch dressing is a cool alternative though!

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  11. I love falafel, we were in Egypt for a month for holiday and we used to eat them a lot especially from the small roadside shops and they were delicious.

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  12. I was tempted to try Siri's falafel too... looks great!

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  13. I have an extra batch of falafel in my freezer. For once I dared and fried them in 'real' oil :D

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  14. Falafel is one of my favorite treats. I've made a few versions in the past, and I think the oven baked variety is the best. Great recipe!

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  15. lovely pattiess indosungod

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  16. this i gotto try.. the amt of oil in falafel always scared me..but oven is my friend and anything with pita is great!!aren't u glad u were in egypt?

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  17. That is so healthy and delicious. This is certainly allowed in my diet. I'll surely try it.Thanks ISG for sharing it.

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  18. ISG - I am so glad u liked my oven baked falfels dear. Urs look yummy and the pita bread assembly looks so delish. Wow, u stayed in Egypt. How lucky. Thats one place I wud love to visit some day!

    take care n cya for now!

    Siri

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  19. Mmm yum. I haven't madre falafel for years. So tempting.

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