Feh-Awfuls
Posted on | August 25, 2009 | 5 Comments
we used to have this understanding in my family that falafels were just plain awful. they smelled bad and tasted even worse. so you can imagine my surprise when i had one a year or so ago and actually liked it.
i have struggled to find a good recipe. and one that won’t lead to cutting a finger off. i have tried one from the veggie table and another adapted from “olive trees and honey” by gil marks. apparently, i can’t get the falafels to actually stay together in the shape they are intended to be. they always always always fall apart and make me cranky.
i have gone so far as to say that i will never ever make them again.
and then i cave. because i get a craving for middle eastern food. and falafels are just too good to pass up. ever. and since i can’t get them out [usually have a dash of paprika or cayene pepper], i have to settle for making them myself.
so, i did what every internet loving foodie would do: i asked twitter.
and this is what i found out:
- you have to use dried chickpeas. apparently the canned ones are a recipe for disaster.
- keep it small. make ‘em too big and they fall apart easier. and i’m the queen of that.
- use a bit of egg. i know that eggs are binders and would probably do the trick, but i hesitate to go there. i know it’s possible to make them without eggs.
- experiment with water absorbtion. i think this should probably be paired with the “use dried garbanzo beans” comment above.
and in case the above suggestions don’t help, you can always go the video tutorial route. which is likely what i’ll be cursing doing for the next round.
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5 Responses to “Feh-Awfuls”
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August 25th, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
The natural food store in my town actually sells falafel mix in the bulk section. Just add water, roll into balls and fry! It’s awesome! Pretty much fool proof.
August 25th, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
that’s awesome. though, i doubt i’d be able to partake. oh well. such is life!
August 27th, 2009 @ 8:24 am
there is a great, foolproof falafal recipe at http://www.bbcgoodfood.com. uses tinned chickpeas, no egg and works just as well when made into falafal burgers as when making little falafally bits…
August 27th, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Caleb mentioned the mix – I use this a lot and it’s really quite good! Only I don’t form them into little balls and fry them. I make them into patties and broil them. I make a sandwich out of ezekial bread, the patty, and whatever sauce I feel like at the time with a little chopped onion, lettuce and tomato. Delicious!!
September 21st, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
there’s a great recipe for falafel at epicurious.com; just type my favorite falafel in the search line. It does call for dried chickpeas but they are really super simple to make and sooooooooo good!!!!! Give ‘em a try!