Well, I don't know about you, but when I have had a bit of an indulgence (see prior post) like steak, I feel the need to eat much more cleanly, and healthily, the next day. I also love, adore and crave a good falafel sandwich. That wonderful patty, made from just some garbanzo beans and love, is a craving that does not go away....until it is fulfilled. Ok, before we launch into the cooking, all of you who think that cuisines from another country are "weird" or "icky", and refuse to stray from your burgers and fries....just mosey along....I'm sure there's another site just devoted to that sorta thing, so...buh-bye now...don't let the Pixie door slam you in the tush! Ok, are we foodies alone now? Whew, good! Let's cook !
Clockwise from lower left; cilantro, chick peas/garbanzo beans (wonder beans?), leaf lettuce, flatbreads, plain yogurt, dill, pepper, cucumber, cooking spray, olive oil, salt, grape tomatoes, and garlic. Not shown, red onion. First, lets make the sauce and put it in the fridge. Simply take your yogurt, and put into a plastic storage container. Add in salt, pepper, dried dill, and about 1/3 of the cucumber, grated. The liquid from the cucumber will help to make this a sauce for your sandwich. If it is not loose enough after refrigerating for 15 minutes or so, you can stir in water, a little at a time, to get that sauce consistency. |
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This is what it will look like. Just place in the fridge while you are making the falafels!
Now, rinse your chick peas under running water.
Then, place them in your food processor with about half a bunch of cilantro, a teaspoon of salt, some freshly grated black pepper, and the clove of garlic (just rough chopped).
Now, process the mixture until it is roughly combined, adding the olive oil, and scraping down the sides mid-way through. It should look like this...
Process until well mixed, adding just enough olive oil to make the mixture into a paste. When combined, place in a bowl, and refrigerate for thirty minutes (while you clean the kitchen you've probably just destroyed.....ooops, I've said too much!). Here's mine:
Let's get our lovely filling ingredients ready to stuff into the sandwich, shall we?
I used some lovely leaf lettuce, cucumber and grape tomatoes (both from the Pixie-Patch!), and some small-diced red onion. Now, we cook! Form your mixture into balls about a little smaller than a golf ball, and place onto wax paper that you have sprayed with non-stick spray.
Now, take a coffee cup, or a ramekin, and shmoosh (the technical term) these balls into little patties, like so;
Now, simply fry in a non-stick skillet (sprayed with cooking spray) until golden brown, about 4 to five minutes per side.
Now, simply stuff your pita or flat bread with the lettuce and vegetables, pour the sauce over, and enter the gates of crunchy, healthy heaven! My results?
The UBER close up?
What can I tell you? This feast left me a happy, happy Pixie. I did not miss the meat, and it was completely delicious, filling and wonderful. Best part of all? Being a thrifty Pixie, I froze the rest for another healthy lunch!
Eat well, my friends, and stay tuned for that miracle bowl-o-goodness known as Pho, and see what the Kitchen Angels have been "helping" me with! Love and kindness to all,
Pixie
