Falafel With Cilantro Yogurt In Pita Bread Recipes

FALAFEL PITA SANDWICH

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle to medium-high heat. Coat with olive oil and heat a pita round for 2 minutes on each side. The pita may begin to brown a little. Repeat with the remaining pita rounds, making sure to cut the top part to reveal the pocket after heating.
• Stuff each pita round with 3 falafel balls and a spoonful each of diced tomatoes and cucumber. Top each with sliced onion, chopped parsley, the optional pickles, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.

FALAFEL IN PITA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In medium skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons oil and sweat onion and peppers 2 to 3 minutes then garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• In a food processor, pulse together chick peas, red chili flakes, ground cumin, the egg, salt and black pepper to form a coarse consistency. Then add flour, parsley, and cilantro. Pulse until mixture starts pulling from the sides of the food processor.
• Remove mixture to a large bowl and mix in the onion mixture. Chill falafel until ready to cook.
• Roll falafel dough into 1-inch rounds. Then form rounds into an oblong quenelle shape, like a football.
• In a thick-bottomed skillet heat 1/2 inch of canola oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Cook falafel balls a few at a time, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Be sure to turn them so they do not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while still hot.
• Open the pita bread to make pockets. Place 3 to 4 falafels inside. Stuff with lettuce tomato and cucumbers and drizzle sauce generously on the inside. Serve immediately.
• Mix the yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, cilantro, parsley and cumin together in a small bowl. Add salt to taste. Chill until ready to use.

FALAFEL WITH CILANTRO YOGURT IN PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Whisk yogurt, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/4 cup onion, 1 garlic clove, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne in medium bowl to blend; season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Blend garbanzo beans, 3 tablespoons flour, cumin, remaining 1/2 cup cilantro, 4 garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne in processor until almost smooth. Add egg and remaining 3/4 cup onion and blend, using on/off turns, until onion is finely chopped. Transfer mixture to bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Turn patties in remaining 1/2 cup flour to coat on both sides.
• Pour enough oil into heavy large skillet to coat bottom; heat over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes per side. Open pita breads; slide 1 patty, sliced tomato and lettuce into each. Spoon in some yogurt mixture.

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI AND CILANTRO SAUCES

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender mix together the first 11 ingredients until JUST smooth-a few small pieces is fine.
• Stir in the baking powder and flour mixing well.
• Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• (this is included in prep time).
• In the meantime in a food processor or blender combine the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cayenne-pulse to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have one.
• Set aside.
• In a food processor or blender combine the cilantro, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, peanut oil, vegetable oil, salt, pepper and sugar.
• Puree to smooth and pour into a squirt bottle if you have another one.
• Set aside.
• Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes and wrap pitas in a JUST damp towel and place in the middle of a 250°F oven.
• Heat oil over medium high heat in a heavy skillet-you would only need around 2 inches of oil for this-or in a deep, heavy saucepan.
• Take about 2 T chickpea mixture and form into a ball, then press to form a small patty.
• Repeat until you have 3 or 4 and carefully place in hot oil with a slotted spoon.
• Fry 2 minutes, flip and fry for 2 minutes more.
• You want the falafel nice and golden brown.
• Repeat with remaining falafels.
• Drain on a rack with paper towels or newspaper underneath.
• Slice a warm pita in half, open and fill with lettuce and tomato, then 3 flalafels.
• Squirt in some tahini sauce and cilantro sauce.
• Serve.

FALAFEL SANDWICHES WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, heat 3/4 cup water to boiling. Stir in bulgur; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 30 minutes or until tender. Drain; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in food processor, place chick peas, cilantro, onions, flour, 3 tablespoons water, the cumin, baking powder, salt and garlic. Cover; process, using quick on-and-off pulses 10 times or until well blended and coarsely chopped (mixture will be wet). Spoon mixture into large bowl.
• Stir bulgur into bean mixture. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions, about 1/4 cup each; shape each portion into 1/4-inch-thick oval-shaped patty.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Place 4 patties in skillet; cook 8 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer patties to platter; cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 4 patties.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix sauce ingredients.
• To serve, spread 2 tablespoons sauce in each pita pocket. Fill each with cucumber, tomato and falafel patty.

FALAFEL IN PITA W/ROASTED GARLIC&CARAMELIZED ONION COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the Falafel:.
• In a food processor, add the chickpeas, garlic, onion, egg, lemon juice, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Pulse about 5 times. Add self rising flower and pulse another 5 times. The mix should not be too smooth but no large chunks.
• Transfer to a mixing bowl and season with salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove chickpea mix from refrigerator. Add enough oil to large saute pan to fill it 1/2-inch up the sides. Heat oil on medium heat while you form patties.
• Drop spoonfuls of the chickpea mixture onto a plate with 1/4 cup of flour. Roll into balls and press very gently into patties.
• When oil is hot, reduce heat to med/low then fry patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
• Slice the pita bread in half and open to make a pocket. Place 2 to 3 falafels inside and top with cucumbers, tomatoes and tahini yogurt sauce.
• For the yogurt tahini sauce:.
• Combine all ingredients in food processor. Blend on high speed to make a smooth and creamy sauce.
• For the couscous:.
• Place garlic cloves, 1 tbs. olive oil and 1/2 teaspoons salt in aluminum foil. Close tightly to make a pouch. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes (you can do this in a toaster oven if you want). When garlic is done, smash with a fork. It should be a paste like consistency.
• In large saute pan, heat olive oil on med/low heat. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoons salt reduce heat to low and saute stirring occasionally for about 1/2 hour. Remove from heat.
• Cook couscous according to box except (add 1/2 chicken bouillon cube to water). When couscous is done, add the caramelized onion, roasted garlic and parsley. Toss to combine.