Homemade falafel: 2 variations of a delicious dinner dish

Falafel is a very easy-to-cook, yet very tasty and satisfying dish originating from Eastern countries. To prepare it successfully, you only need a few ingredients and about 1 hour of your time.

The FoodOboz editorial team has selected 2 of the most delicious recipes for hearty falafel, which will be a great option for lunch and dinner.

1. Classic falafel

Ingredients:

• Water - 2 liters
• Chickpeas - 500 g
• Garlic - 7 cloves.
• Oil - 400 ml
• Onion - 1 pc.
• Sesame seeds - 25 g
• Parsley - 50 g
• Mint - 20 g
• Paprika - 10 g
• Cumin - 20 g
• Ground coriander - 20 g
• Baking soda - 10 g
• Salt, pepper - to taste

Method of preparation:

1. First of all, rinse the chickpea grains well, then put them in a saucepan and cover with clean water at room temperature so that the water completely covers the chickpeas, and leave them for 8-10 hours.
2. After the time is up, drain the water through a colander or sieve.
3. Take a large baking sheet, cover it with a paper towel in several layers, and place the chickpeas on it so that they dry well. Cover the top with a paper towel as well and set aside for a few hours to dry completely.
4. Wash the greens well, peel the onion and garlic, chop them randomly, and put them in a blender.
5. Add chickpeas, all the spices, and baking soda, and blend thoroughly until smooth.
6. Be sure to wet your hands and form the mixture into small balls.
7. Preheat a deep fryer well, pour oil, and throw them in 2-4 pieces at a time, fry for about 2-3 minutes.
8. Afterward, put them on paper towels to drain all the excess fat.

2. Bean falafel in tomato sauce

Ingredients:

• beans - 125 g
• flour - 4 tbsp
• salt - 1/4 tsp.
• curry - 1/4 tsp.
• parsley - 25 g
• onion - 1 pc.
• garlic - 2 cloves.
• water - 110 ml
• lemon juice - 1 tbsp
• pepper - to taste

For the sauce:

• oil - 2 tbsp. 
• onion - 1 pc.
• carrot - 1 pc.
• tomato juice - 300 ml
• salt - a pinch
• curry - 1/2 tsp.
• corn starch - 1 tsp.
• parsley greens - 1 tsp.

Method of preparation:

1. Boil the beans.
2. Wash the greens well, and wash and peel the garlic, onion, and carrots.
3. In a blender, pulse the onion, garlic, beans, and herbs, add lemon juice and water.
4. Add salt, curry, and pepper to the mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. At the very end, add the flour, mix, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Cover a baking sheet with parchment, form balls with your hands, and put them on the baking sheet, put in the oven for 30 minutes at 170 C.
7. For the sauce: chop the onion finely, grate the carrots on a coarse grater, put them in a hot frying pan with oil, and fry for 5 minutes over low heat until the vegetables are soft and golden.
8. Stir the tomato juice and starch in a glass, add to the pan, season with pepper and salt, sprinkle with curry, mix thoroughly, add chopped herbs, and turn off the heat.
9. Take the falafel out of the oven and put it in the prepared sauce.

Serve the dish with tahini sesame paste and fresh lettuce leaves.