Falafel
gourmet
Preparation time
30 minutiDifficulty
MediaCooking time
15 minutiServings
4Ammollo
12 oreEcco la ricetta tradizionale dei falafel, uno dei piatti più amati della cucina mediorientale, particolarmente diffuso in Libano, Siria, Egitto e Israele. La ricetta prevede l'uso di ceci secchi, spezie ed erbe fresche per creare polpette fragranti e croccanti.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas (dried)250 g
- Garlic2 cloves
- Cumin1 teaspoon
- Golden onion1 u (150 g)
- Baking soda1 teaspoon
- Parsleyto taste
- Black pepperto taste
- Vegetable oilto taste
- Fine saltto taste
- Corianderto taste
Procedure
0. Soak the dried chickpeas in plenty of water for at least 12 hours (or overnight). After soaking, drain them well and pat them dry with a cloth. Do not cook the chickpeas; they should be used raw after soaking.
1. Place the drained chickpeas in a blender or food processor along with the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro (if using), cumin, ground coriander, baking soda, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if you want a spicy kick).
2. Blend everything until you get a grainy consistency—not too fine, but smooth. Make sure there are no large chunks of chickpeas.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the chickpea flour. Mix well until the dough is firm and not too sticky. If the dough is too soft, add a little more flour.
4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the mixture firm up better.
5. After resting, take small portions of the dough and shape them into balls or disks with your hands (about 3-4 cm in diameter). If the dough tends to crumble, you can lightly moisten your hands with water.
6. Heat plenty of oil in a deep skillet or deep fryer until about 180°C (350°F). Fry the falafel in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy on the outside (about 3-4 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. Falafel are delicious served in pita or flatbread, accompanied by tahini sauce, hummus, fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and onion, or with a lemon yogurt dip.
8. If you prefer a lighter version, you can also bake the falafel in the oven at 180°C for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking, but the result will be less crispy than traditional frying.
9. For a more authentic flavor, it's best not to substitute fresh cilantro, which gives falafel their signature herbaceous flavor.
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Creation date Sep 10, 2024
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Nutritional Values
Nutritional values per serving
*The nutritional values shown are calculated based on the ingredients provided by the user and represent an average estimate, without taking into account any variations due to cooking methods or other external factors. The information on ingredients is based on generally accepted data and may vary depending on the brand, product quality, and specific preparation conditions. Therefore, the maximum accuracy of the data provided cannot be guaranteed. For precise nutritional information, we recommend consulting a nutrition professional or using specific analysis tools.