Emerils Sure Fired Falafel Recipes

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain and rinse both the fava beans as well as the chickpeas. Combine both beans in the bowl of a food processor, along with the onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, baking soda, salt, ground coriander, and cayenne, and pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until a coarse paste is formed. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, if needed to make the paste hold together - you will have to remove the lid of the processor and check this by pressing some of the mixture together between your fingers. Add a bit more water, if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to rest for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat at least 3-inches of oil in a saucepan or a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Scoop the fava-chick pea mixture into 1 1/2 to 2-tablespoon increments and, using your hands, shape into balls or patties about 1 1/2 to 2-inches in diameter. Gently lower the falafel balls into the hot oil (these are fragile - do not drop them or they will fall apart.) Fry the falafel in batches until crisp and brown, turning to promote even browning, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly before serving with the Tahini Sauce and pita bread, if using.
• Make the sauce by combining the tahini paste, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl and stirring to combine. Add the water a little at a time as needed to form a smooth, creamy sauce approximately the thickness of heavy cream. (Note that the sauce might appear to separate for a bit before enough water has been added; just keep adding more water bit by bit and stirring until the sauce comes together.) Season to taste with salt and more lemon juice, if necessary. Transfer to a nonreactive container and refrigerate until ready to serve the falafel.

EMERIL'S SURE-FIRED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Place chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with water. Let stand for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
• Place chickpeas, cilantro, spices, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, onions, garlic, and red bell pepper in a food processor or meat grinder. Sprinkle flour and baking powder over entire mixture. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Divide chickpea mixture into 16 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patties or disks.
• In a large nonstick sauté pan over medium high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Slide in the patties and cook until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining patties.
• Serve with pita bread, hummus and Middle Eastern condiments.

EMERIL'S FRIED TURKEY

Steps:

• To make the marinade: Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process for about 5 minutes. Fill a syringe and inject each turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs. You will have to fill the syringe several times. Next, combine the seasoning ingredients and rub the mixture evenly all over each turkey.
• Place the turkeys in large plastic bags and secure before icing them down or refrigerating them for 24 hours.
• To fry each turkey: Fill a large pot three quarters of the way full with the peanut oil and heat the oil to between 350 and 360 degrees F. Place 1 turkey in the basket insert and carefully and slowly lower it into the hot oil. Turn the turkey every 10 minutes, using long-handled forks. A whole turkey will take 3 to 5 minutes per pound to cook. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 to 180 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer. Carefully lift the basket out of the hot oil. This can be done by inserting a broomstick through the handles and having two strong people lift the basket out of the pot. Using the long-handled forks, transfer the turkey to a large brown paper bag and let stand for about 15 minutes before removing to carve. Repeat the procedure for the second turkey. Carve the turkey and serve with the other traditional side items.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking" by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

EMERIL'S EGGLESS CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine the lemon juice, garlic, mustard, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper.
• Whisk in the canola oil to blend.
• In a large salad bowl, toss the lettuce with the dressing. Add the croutons and top with Parmesan.

GRILLED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic until the onion is soft and the garlic golden, about 4 minutes. Let cool.
• Place the sautéed onion in a blender or food processor. Add the chickpeas. Pulse to coarsely chop the beans. Add cilantro, parsley, rice, curry and cayenne. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and evenly distributed. Turn the mixture into a bowl.
• Add the juice and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs. Have the remaining bread crumbs ready in a shallow dish or bowl. With your hands, knead the chickpea mixture until it is like a moist dough. Scooping up 1/4 cup at a time, form the chickpea mixture into patties. Coat lightly with remaining breadcrumbs. Repeat, making eight 3-inch patties.
• Heat the grill, griddle, or cast iron skillet. Brush lightly with oil. Place the patties down an inch apart. Cook 4 minutes, until brown in spots. Turn and cook another 4 minutes, to brown lightly on second side. Or, heat the broiler and place the falafel in a shallow foil-lined pan. Broil 3 minutes, turn and cook on the other side for 3 minutes. Serve immediately on whole-wheat pita with lettuce and sliced tomato.

EMERIL'S MOCK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a small sauté pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil, when hot add the garlic and onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent. In a large heat resistant bowl, combine the onions and garlic with the textured vegetable protein and the Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, Worcestershire and all purpose flour; mix well. Add the water, bit by bit, until the mixture is damp and can hold its shape.
• Shape the meatballs, either using a medium size ice cream scooper or with your hands. Meatballs should be about 1 ½ inches. Place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet and brown them in the oven, about 20- 25 minutes. Alternately, the meatballs can be browned in a sauté pan with a little olive oil, rolling them in the pan in order to keep their shape.
• Serve with warm marinara sauce, pasta and grated Parmesan cheese.

SUPER QUICK FALAFEL!

Steps:

• Mash the chickpeas or puree coarsely in a food processor. Mix with the cumin, coriander, garlic and chilli. Season and divide into 24 pieces of equal size. Shape each piece into a ball.
• Heat a little oil in a frying pan and cook the balls for approximately 6 minutes each or until crisp and golden. This will probably have to be done in batches unless you have a huge pan!
• Toast the pitta breads and slit the tops. Fill with the falafel and salad leaves, spoon a little yogurt on to the top too.