Easy Baked Falafel With Cucumber Yogurt Sauce Recipes

SEAN'S FALAFEL AND CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
• In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. Serve two falafels in each pita half topped with chopped tomatoes and cucumber sauce.

FALAFEL IN PITA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In medium skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons oil and sweat onion and peppers 2 to 3 minutes then garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• In a food processor, pulse together chick peas, red chili flakes, ground cumin, the egg, salt and black pepper to form a coarse consistency. Then add flour, parsley, and cilantro. Pulse until mixture starts pulling from the sides of the food processor.
• Remove mixture to a large bowl and mix in the onion mixture. Chill falafel until ready to cook.
• Roll falafel dough into 1-inch rounds. Then form rounds into an oblong quenelle shape, like a football.
• In a thick-bottomed skillet heat 1/2 inch of canola oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Cook falafel balls a few at a time, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Be sure to turn them so they do not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while still hot.
• Open the pita bread to make pockets. Place 3 to 4 falafels inside. Stuff with lettuce tomato and cucumbers and drizzle sauce generously on the inside. Serve immediately.
• Mix the yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, cilantro, parsley and cumin together in a small bowl. Add salt to taste. Chill until ready to use.

ROUND 2 RECIPE - BAKED FALAFEL WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in to the oven.
• Combine all falafel ingredients, including the Chickpea Salad, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse mixture until coarsely ground.
• Using your hands, form the falafel mixture into balls about the size of walnuts and set aside. If the falafel mixture sticks to your hands dip them in cold water in between rolling each ball.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the falafel onto the sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking, to brown on both sides.
• Place on a serving platter and serve with yogurt sauce on the side.
• Add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and combine well.
• Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.