About Falafel

Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas. Falafel is a traditional Arab food, usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze. Generally accepted to have first been made in Egypt, falafel has become a dish eaten throughout the Middle East. The Copts of Egypt claim to have first made the dish as a replacement for meat during Lent. The fritters are now found around the world as a replacement for meat and as a form of street food.Generally accepted to have first been made in Egypt, falafel has become a dish eaten throughout the Middle East.
(souce: Wikipedia.com

1. Soak chickpeas over night and the beans for 2 - 3 hours
2. Coarsly-grind soaked beans and chickpeas together with finely chopped green parsley, coriander, garlic and onions
3. Put all in a bowl and add salt, black pepper, cumin, dry ground coriander, and ground red hot pepper, then thoroughly knead mix
4. Add a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of sodium and knead again and cover till you are ready to cook
5. Heat the vegetable oil and make flatish balls of the mix (using the special dispenser, if available, other wise by hand or with the help of a spoon) and squeeze out any extra liquid
6. Drop the balls carefully into the boiling oil and fry until golden brown
7. Remove the cooked balls and place them on kitchen paper to drain excess oil
8. Eat while hot, preferably in the form of a sandwich in Arabic or pitta bread. A Tahini salad goes well with falafel. (Tahini, lemon, chopped tomatoes and crushed garlic)