Shrimp And Corn Falafel With Cilantro Tahini Recipes

HOMEMADE TAHINI

Steps:

• Put the sesame seeds in a food processor and blend on high until the mixture turns crumbly, about 1 minute. Add the oil and blend on high, stopping every minute or so to scrape down the sides, until the mixture is completely smooth, 5 to 8 minutes. You might need to add another tablespoon of oil to reach the desired consistency. The tahini should be smooth and pourable. Store in a clean jar in the refrigerator for about a month and give it a good stir before using.

SHRIMP TEMPURA WITH CILANTRO

Steps:

• Arrange the shrimp on a large platter. Sprinkle with the minced jalapeno and the chopped cilantro. Pour the lime juice over and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, refrigerated. When ready to cook, season lightly with salt.
• In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Whisk in the water until the batter is smooth, and then add the remaining ingredients, seasoning with cayenne and salt to taste. If made earlier in the day, set the bowl into an ice bath.
• At serving time, in a heavy saucepan, wok, or deep-fryer, heat 3 inches of oil to 350 degrees F. Dip each shrimp into the batter and coat well. Carefully place 1 or 2 in the hot oil and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or a flat strainer and drain on paper or clean toweling. Keep warm while preparing the remaining shrimp and the spinach.
• Arrange a few fried spinach leaves on half of each of 4 plates. Place 4 shrimps on the other half and serve immediately.
• In a wok or deep, heavy saucepan, heat about 3 inches of peanut oil to 375 degrees F. Clean the spinach leaves well, trim and dry thoroughly. Fry until crisp and translucent, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on clean toweling. Season with salt to taste and serve immediately.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the spice mix: In a skillet over low heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Grind the toasted seeds in a spice grinder. Add the dried parsley, granulated garlic, chili powder, granulated onion, za'atar, sumac, allspice, chili flakes, a few turns of black pepper and continue grinding to combine. Set aside. Spice mix will keep for several weeks in an airtight jar.
• For the falafel: In a food processor, add the chickpeas, chopped onion and garlic, parsley, cilantro, baking soda, spice mix and salt. Pulse until the mixture's combined and the chickpeas are pea-size, stopping and stirring halfway through. Tightly pack the falafel mixture into balls the size of an extra large marble and set aside.
• Fry the falafel: Pour oil half full into a deep pan and set over medium heat. Secure a deep-fry thermometer to the pan's side and heat oil to 375 degrees F. Using a spider strainer, gently drop the falafel balls, one at a time, into the hot oil making sure the pot isn't overcrowded with falafel. Cook until most of the bubbles have disappeared and the falafel is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet to cool and repeat the process until all of the falafel balls are cooked.
• Make the tahini dressing and assemble the dish: In a blender add the garlic, water, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and lemon juice if necessary and blend again. Set aside. Tahini sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To serve, place falafel balls on a platter, drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge.

SKILLET SHRIMP AND CORN WITH LIME DRESSING

Steps:

• Pat the shrimp dry, then toss with the coriander and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let sit while you prepare the dressing.
• Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, mint, honey, garlic, chile, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 cup olive oil. Whisk until well combined and emulsified.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add the shrimp in an even layer. Cook the shrimp until pink and just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the corn to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, and cook the corn without stirring until it begins to brown on one side, about 2 minutes. Give the corn a stir and cook for another minute.
• Add the shrimp back to the pan, along with 2 tablespoons of the dressing, and stir to coat everything in the dressing and to rewarm the shrimp.
• Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with more dressing, and garnish with more mint. Serve with lime wedges.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI AND CILANTRO SAUCES

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender mix together the first 11 ingredients until JUST smooth-a few small pieces is fine.
• Stir in the baking powder and flour mixing well.
• Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• (this is included in prep time).
• In the meantime in a food processor or blender combine the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cayenne-pulse to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have one.
• Set aside.
• In a food processor or blender combine the cilantro, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, peanut oil, vegetable oil, salt, pepper and sugar.
• Puree to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have another one.
• Set aside.
• Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes and wrap pitas in a JUST damp towel and place in the middle of a 250°F oven.
• Heat oil over medium high heat in a heavy skillet-you would only need around 2 inches of oil for this-or in a deep, heavy saucepan.
• Take about 2 T chickpea mixture and form into a ball, then press to form a small patty.
• Repeat until you have 3 or 4 and carefully place in hot oil with a slotted spoon.
• Fry 2 minutes, flip and fry for 2 minutes more.
• You want the falafel nice and golden brown.
• Repeat with remaining falafels.
• Drain on a rack with paper towels or newspaper underneath.
• Slice a warm pita in half, open and fill with lettuce and tomato, then 3 flalafels.
• Squirt in some tahini sauce and cilantro sauce.
• Serve.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Place bowl in refrigerator and let soak until the chickpeas swell to double their size, at least 12 hours and up to 24. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
• Transfer rinsed chickpeas to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well ground (about the consistency of cornmeal). Add onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper; process until mixture is pureed, scraping down sides as necessary. Falafel mixture can be made 3 to 4 days in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.
• Fill a countertop electric fryer or a deep pot 3 inches high with oil. Heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Using your hands, form falafel mixture into a 1 3/4-inch balls, pressing tightly so that falafel does not fall apart while frying.
• Using a slotted spoon and working in batches, carefully add falafel to hot oil, gently nudging so they do not stick to the bottom. Fry, turning as needed, until crusty and dark brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer falafel to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve immediately with tahini and pickled vegetables.