Colossal Falafel Hoagie Recipes

HOW TO MAKE FALAFEL

Steps:

• (One day in advance) Place the dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water to cover the chickpeas by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight for 18 hours (longer if the chickpeas are still too hard). When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and pat them dry.
• Add the chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic and spices to the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Run the food processor 40 seconds at a time until all is well combined forming a the falafel mixture.
• Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or (up to one whole night) until ready to cook.
• Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon.
• Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into patties (1/2 inch in thickness each). It helps to have wet hands as you form the patties.
• Fill a medium saucepan 3 inches up with oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it bubbles softly. 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. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.
• Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Serve falafel hot next to other small plates; or assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with tahini or hummus, arugula, tomato and cucumbers. Enjoy!

COLOSSAL FALAFEL HOAGIE

Steps:

• With a knife, open sandwich roll and spread Greek yogurt on one half, then spread hummus on the other.
• Line top half of roll with lettuce and tomato; place pickle slice along the bottom half.
• Fill with hot falafel, season with salt, then top falafel with tahini sauce. Serve.
• For tahini sauce: Mince two garlic cloves. Whisk garlic into 1/4 cup tahini paste. Stir in one tablespoon olive oil and two and half tablespoons concentrated lemon juice. Mixture will be thick. Slowly add water, about a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency. Don't add water too quickly, or oil will separate from the rest of the sauce. Mix in about a teaspoon of kosher salt. You could also add a half a teaspoon dried parsley if desired. Spoon desired amount over falafel and refrigerate the rest for your next sandwich.

AUTHENTIC FALAFELS

Steps:

• Place dried chickpeas in a bowl. Fill with water to cover; stir in baking soda. Soak at least 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Drain.
• Place soaked and drained chickpeas in a blender or food processor; blend to a paste.
• Pour water into chickpea paste and blend until smooth. Scrape down sides of blender with spatula if needed.
• Place sesame seeds, cumin, salt, baking powder, coriander, black pepper, red chili powder, sugar, turmeric, and asafoetida powder in blender with chickpea paste; blend until well mixed. Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl.
• Chill chickpea mixture in refrigerator to allow flavors to blend, at least 1 hour and up to two days.
• Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch in a deep skillet over medium heat and heat to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C).
• Scoop up chickpea mixture by heaping tablespoons and form into balls the size of ping pong balls.
• Fry balls in hot oil until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.