Israeli Falafel

Israeli Falafel

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Description

Chef Michael Skibitcky tweaked this Joan Nathan recipe , deleting the cilantro and adding ground coriander. For an authentic Israeli presentation, load the just-fried balls into pita bread and top them with chopped veggies, pickles, harissa hot sauce, and piquant tahini sauce.

Ingredients

1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
4 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup dried chickpeas, refrigerated overnight in water to cover by 2 inches, then drained, or 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained
1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
About 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
5 to 6 pita breads, top 1/3 cut off each
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
Pickled turnip*
Mango amba (pickle)*
Harissa hot sauce
*Available from ethnicgrocer.com

Directions

  1. In food processor or blender, combine all ingredients and 1/4 cup water. Process into smooth paste. (DO AHEAD: Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day.)
  2. In food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, red pepper flakes, and baking soda. Pulse just until finely chopped and crumbly (mixture will resemble wet bread crumbs; do not overprocess into paste, or balls will be heavy). (DO AHEAD: Mixture can be made ahead and refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day.)
  3. In large shallow skillet over moderately high heat, heat 3 inches oil until thermometer registers 350°F.
  4. Using 2 teaspoons or falafel scoop, form mixture into approximately 1-inch-diameter balls or disks. Working in batches of 5, lower carefully into hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat to fry remaining falafel, returning oil to 350°F between each batch.