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15 minute falafels with parsley salad for Lori
serves 2

My brother called me when I was making falafels for the video. When I said I couldn’t talk because I didn’t want to burn my falafels, he wanted to know what were falafels? In my haste I explained them as like meatballs for vegetarians.

He wasn’t convinced that they’d be any good. Why would you go and take the best part, ie the meat out of a meatball? I guess I didn’t do them justice, these falafels are far more delicious than any old meatball.

for the falafels:
1 can chickpeas (400g / 14oz)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 bunch flat leaf parsley
1 egg
for the salad:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 red onion
remainder of the parsley
for the sauce:
6-8 tablespoons natural yoghurt

1. falafels: Preheat an overhead grill (broiler) on its highest setting.

2. Drain chickpeas and place in a food processor with the cumin, a few sprigs of parsley. Pulse until roughly chopped and still chunky.

3. Add the egg and stir to combine by hand. Season.

4. Drizzle a baking tray with olive oil. Using a teaspoon and clean hands, form the mixture into small balls about the size of a quail egg. Place the falafels on the tray as you go.

5. Drizzle falafels with more oil and cook under the hot grill for 5-7 minutes or until starting to brown.

6. salad: Combine lemon juice with 2 tablespoons extra virin olive oil in a medium bowl. Season.

7. Finely slice then dice onion and toss in the dressing. Coarsley chop remaining parsley and add to the dressing.

8. sauce: Season yoghurt with salt & pepper and stir until smooth.

9. falafels: When the falafels are brown and feel firm, gently turn and cook for another few minutes.

prepare ahead?
You could prepare the falafels and refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to cook. You could also cook the falafels and freeze. To reheat just pop frozen falafels in the oven for 15 minutes or so. The salad will be OK in the fridge for a day or so, but will get a little wilted after that.

leftover potential
Great. Will keep in the fridge for a week or so.

variations for fun
vegan / egg-free – replace the egg with about 50g fresh bread crumbs. If the mixture is too dry, a little water will help. May be difficult to get the falafels to stay together without the egg. And serve with hummus instead of yoghurt.

carnivore - replace the chickpeas and egg with ground lamb or beef. Just combine with the cumin and parsley and form into balls. Grill as per the falafels but they may take a little longer to cook through.

pita bread - serve everything wrapped in warm pita breads.

dairy-free – serve with hummus instead of the yoghurt.

fava beans – sometimes in Egypt they make falafels with fava beans – try this recipe with canned butter beans for something different.

problem solving guide
falafels sticking to the tray? – I had this problem too – next time be more generous with the oil. But for now, wait until the falafels are cooked before trying to turn them.

falafels falling apart – it’s important for the egg to cook enough to set and bind the falafels before you try and turn them. Leave for a few more minutes.

bland – remember to season generously. A little more cumin sprinkled over the top may help.

too dry – that’s part of being a falafel. Be more generous with the yoghurt sauce.

serving suggestions
Serve falafels on a bed of salad, drizzled with the yoghurt sauce.

Or wrap everything in warm pita or lebanese bread.
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