from the kitchen of Chef Oriana Van Buren
This recipe is vegan
Equipment Needed
1 – Food Processor
2 – Kitchen Towel
3 – Frying Pan
Falafel
| Amount | Unit | Ingredients |
| 1 | cup | (200 grams) dry chickpeas |
| 1 | half | Small onion, roughly chopped |
| 3 | cloves | Garlic, roughly chopped |
| 3 | tbsp | Freshly chopped parsley |
| 1 | tbsp | Chickpea Flour |
| 2 | tsp | Ground coriander |
| 2 | tsp | Ground cumin |
| 1/2 | tsp | Chili powder |
| 1/4 | tsp | Pepper |
| 1 | tsp | Salt |
| Oil, for frying |
- Cover the chickpeas with water and leave to soak overnight. Drain the chickpeas and place them on a kitchen towel. Fold the towel over the chickpeas and pat them dry.
- Transfer the chickpeas to a food processor along with the remaining ingredients minus the oil. Pulse until you reach a mealy texture that holds together when you squeeze it. Refrigerate for one hour.
- Heat enough oil in a pan over medium heat to cover the falafel at least halfway. Take about 1 and a half tablespoons of the falafel mixture and form it into a ball by squeezing it together with your hands. If they are not sticking together well, you can add another tablespoon of chickpea flour. (I find that patting the chickpeas dry first prevents the need to add more flour later)
- It is a good idea to test one falafel ball first. It should turn golden brown in about two minutes. If it doesn’t, adjust the temperature of the oil accordingly.
- Fry the falafel in batches, flipping once, until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
- If you’re making a falafel pita, carefully slice open your pitas and stuff with lettuce, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, and red onion.
For the Vegan Green Tahini Sauce
| Amount | Unit | Ingredients |
| 1/2 | cup | Water |
| 2 | tbsp | Lemon juice |
| 3 | tbsp | Flour |
| 3 | cloves | Garlic, grated |
| 3/4 | cup | Cilantro |
| 1/2 | tsp | Salt |
| 3 | tbsp | Olive oil |
- Prepare the Vegan Green Tahini Sauce by placing everything into a food processor and blending it together. Once blended, the sauce is ready.
- Dollop onto falafel dish.
“Anyone can cook, but you must be open to making mistakes. Mistakes are how we learn in the kitchen; each time you fail, you learn something new. Knowledge is power and practice makes perfect!”
Oriana Van Buren