Prep Time
1.25 Hours
Cooking Time
2.5 Hours
Servings
4-6 People
Ingredients
- 1 cup (½ lb/227 g) dried chickpeas
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3-4 large cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Hashems Falafel Spice
- ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- ¼ bunch fresh parsley leaves, minced
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 4-6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Oil, for frying
- Sesame Tahini Sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
Directions
- Soak the chickpeas in cold water for 12 to 24 hours; drain. After soaking, add them to a medium pot with fresh water bring up to a boil, then turn the heat down slightly and cook until they’re easy to mash with your fingers, about 1 to 2 hours; adding more water as necessary so that they’re always immersed; drain. Pick through the beans to remove any skins you find.
- Add the chickpeas, onion, falafel spice , garlic, salt, cumin, and red pepper flakes to a food processor and pulse until it forms a chunky paste (do not purée it; alternatively, this can be done by hand using a large mortar and pestle). Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the parsley. Sprinkle in the baking powder and gradually add enough flour to form a dough, being careful not to over-mix. Cover the bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Add about 3 inches (7.5 cm) of oil to a medium saucepan; heat the oil to between 350 to 375°F (175 to 190°C). As the oil heats, shape the fritters with a falafel mold or with 2 spoons, gently scraping them against each other to form shaped falafels.
- Fry the falafel in batches so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded. Fry each batch until golden brown outside and fully cooked inside, about 4 to 6 minutes, and then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat this process until all the batter is fried.
- Serve immediately, with a drizzle of Sesame Tahini Sauce and a sprinkle of parsley on top, if using.
For making this traditional Middle Eastern falafel recipe, check out our Falafel Spice Mix, click here.
Recipe courtesy of An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair by Faith Gorsky (Tuttle Publishing; Nov. 2012); reprinted with permission.