‘’Falafel in Pita’’, a popular vegetarian and vegan dish world-wide.
Falafel in Pita Bread
Course: MainCuisine: Middle EasternDifficulty: Easy – Medium8-10
servings1
hourFalafel is a traditional middle eastern food. Falafel is made from ground chickpeas, formed into a ball or patty and deep fat fried. It is generally served in a pita bread. Pita bread is flat bread and when cut into half opens as pocket. Falafel accompanied with salad and vegetables are filled into this pocket, topped with hummus or tahini sauce. This is a common street food served throughout the Middle Eastern region. A very popular vegetarian dish world-wide.
Ingredients
Dried chickpeas – 2 cups
onion diced – 1 cup
fresh cilantro leaves – ¾ cup
garlic cloves – 6-8
ground black pepper -1 tbsp.
cumin powder – 2 tbsps.
coriander powder – 2 tbsps.
Salt to taste 2-3 tsps.
Green chili – 4-5
Sesame seeds – 2-3 tbsps.
baking powder – 2 tsps.
baking soda – ½ tsp
Oil for frying
Pita bread
To fill Pita pockets- cucumber, carrots, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, coriander leaves.
Directions
- Wash and soak chickpeas with baking soda in sufficient water for at least 24 hours.
- Add the chickpeas, herbs, green chilis, onions, garlic, salt, and spices to the large bowl.
- Place the chickpea mix in a blender and grind to a smooth consistency by adding water spoon by spoon. Note the consistency in the picture.
- Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly with a cling film. Refrigerate if you are not frying immediately.
- Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon.
- Scoop with your fingers or tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into small patties.
- In a saucepan add oil. Heat the oil on medium. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and medium brown on the outside.
- Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Take pita bread, cut into 2. Make a pocket, assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with hummus or tahini, tomato, onions, and cucumbers. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use dry chickpeas rather canned chickpeas to give more authentic taste.
- Allow at least 24 hours to soak.
- Add very little water while blending.
