Authentic Falafel with Tangy Taratoor Sauce
Experience the unique, rich flavors of the Middle East with our Authentic Falafel with Tangy Taratoor Sauce. These delectable chickpea fritters are a healthy, satisfying snack or lunch option, and when paired with the creamy, zesty Taratoor Sauce, they offer a burst of flavor in every bite. The falafel, made from soaked dried chickpeas and aromatic herbs and spices, boasts a crispy exterior with a soft, savory interior. Perfect for serving in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and pickles. This dish requires some preparation time, as the chickpeas must be soaked overnight, but the results are well worth the effort.
6
Servings
583 kcal
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried garbanzo beans
500 ml (soaked overnight)
medium onion
1 (quartered)
garlic cloves
2-3 (whole)
stale bread slices
2-3 (cut into pieces)
parsley
50 ml (chopped)
sweet red pepper
1/3 (chopped)
salt
10 ml (to taste)
black pepper
3 ml (ground)
cumin
10 ml (ground)
oregano
10 ml (dried)
ground coriander
10 ml (to taste)
hot red pepper flakes
5 ml (to taste)
flour
20 ml (all-purpose)
baking powder
15 ml (divided)
water
175 ml (divided)
vegetable oil
as needed (for frying)
tahini
175 ml (stirred before measuring)
garlic clove
1 (crushed)
lemon juice
1 1/2 to 2 (freshly squeezed)
salt
5 ml (to taste)
parsley
50 ml (finely chopped)
tomato slices
optional (for serving)
dill pickle slices
optional (for serving)
chopped parsley
optional (for garnish)
fresh spearmint
essential (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Place the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them generously with fresh water. Allow the beans to soak for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours.
2
Drain the soaked chickpeas thoroughly. Combine them with the quartered onion, garlic cloves, stale bread slices, chopped parsley, and sweet red pepper in a food processor. Process until the mixture becomes mealy and well-combined.
3
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, and stir in salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, ground coriander, hot red pepper flakes, flour, and 10 mL of baking powder. Gradually add 50 mL of water, mixing until the ingredients are well-incorporated.
4
In a small dish, mix the remaining baking powder with 125 mL of water. Use this mixture to moisten your hands as you shape the falafel mixture into small balls, about the size of walnuts. Gently flatten them into patties.
5
Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully lower the falafel patties into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
6
Remove the falafel from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7
To serve, place 4-5 falafel patties onto a 6-inch Arabic pita bread. Smoosh them down slightly, then add optional toppings such as tomato slices, dill pickle slices, fresh parsley, and spearmint. Drizzle generously with Taratoor Sauce, roll up the pita, and enjoy.
8
For the Taratoor Sauce: In a bowl or blender, combine tahini, crushed garlic, and the juice of 1 1/2 to 2 lemons. Beat until creamy. Gradually add 175 mL of water, ensuring you mix well after each addition, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and stir in the finely chopped parsley.
9
Refrigerate the Taratoor Sauce until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
30 g
Fat
63.3 g
Carbs
16.7 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Falafel?
Authentic falafel are delectable Middle Eastern chickpea fritters made from soaked dried chickpeas, aromatic herbs, and spices, featuring a crispy exterior and a soft, savory interior.
What is Taratoor Sauce?
Taratoor Sauce is a creamy, zesty Middle Eastern sauce made primarily from tahini, crushed garlic, and lemon juice, often served over falafel.
How long should I soak the chickpeas for falafel?
You should soak the dried chickpeas in fresh water for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours before preparation.
Can I use canned chickpeas for this recipe?
No, this authentic recipe specifically requires dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight to achieve the correct mealy texture and crispy finish.
What ingredients are in the falafel base mixture?
The base includes soaked chickpeas, a quartered onion, garlic cloves, stale bread slices, chopped parsley, and sweet red pepper.
How do I process the falafel ingredients?
Combine the chickpeas, vegetables, and bread in a food processor and process until the mixture becomes mealy and well-combined.
What spices are used to season the falafel?
The mixture is seasoned with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, dried oregano, ground coriander, and hot red pepper flakes.
Why is stale bread used in the falafel recipe?
Stale bread acts as a binder and helps achieve the traditional texture for the fritters.
How is baking powder used in this recipe?
Baking powder is used in two ways: 10 mL is stirred directly into the mixture, and 5 mL is mixed with water to moisten your hands while shaping the patties.
How do I shape the falafel patties?
Shape the mixture into small balls about the size of walnuts, then gently flatten them into small patties using moistened hands.
What is the best way to cook falafel?
The best way is to deep fry the patties in vegetable oil over medium-high heat until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
How should I drain the falafel after frying?
Once removed from the oil, place the falafel on paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.
How do I assemble an authentic falafel pita?
Place 4-5 falafel patties on a 6-inch pita, smoosh them down, add toppings and Taratoor sauce, then roll it up.
What toppings go well with falafel?
Optional but recommended toppings include tomato slices, dill pickle slices, fresh parsley, and fresh spearmint.
Is fresh mint necessary for this recipe?
Yes, fresh spearmint is considered essential for the garnish and providing the authentic flavor profile.
What are the ingredients for Taratoor Sauce?
The sauce consists of tahini, crushed garlic, lemon juice, water, salt, and finely chopped parsley.
How do I get the right consistency for Taratoor Sauce?
Beat the tahini, garlic, and lemon juice until creamy, then gradually add 175 mL of water, mixing well after each addition until it reaches your desired thickness.
How should Taratoor Sauce be stored?
The Taratoor Sauce should be kept refrigerated until you are ready to serve the meal.
Is this falafel recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegetarian and provides a high-protein plant-based meal option.
How many calories are in a serving of this falafel?
There are approximately 583 kcal per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving provides approximately 16.7 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 30 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
One serving contains approximately 63.3 grams of carbohydrates.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to produce 6 servings.
What kind of oil should I use for frying?
A standard vegetable oil suitable for deep frying is recommended for this recipe.
What size pita bread is recommended?
A 6-inch Arabic pita bread is the ideal size for a standard serving of 4-5 falafels.
How much lemon juice is needed for the sauce?
The sauce requires the juice of 1.5 to 2 freshly squeezed lemons.
Can I prepare the falafel mixture in advance?
While the recipe focuses on the 12-24 hour soak time, the processed mixture can be prepared and then seasoned just before shaping and frying.
What type of pepper is used in the falafel mix?
The recipe uses 1/3 of a chopped sweet red pepper for the mixture.
Is there flour in the falafel?
Yes, 20 mL of all-purpose flour is included in the mixture to help bind the ingredients together.