Jewish Student Weekly

Falafel is a very popular fast food in the Middle East and is slowly becoming popular all over the world. Falafel comes in the shape or balls or are slightly flattened and served along with pita bread. It is an important part of a Jewish diet and is the national food of Israel. It is served along with humus on a salad.  Here is how to make your own falafel:

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of                dried chickpeas

1 large onion

2 cloves of garlic chopped finely

3 tsp of fresh parsley chopped

1 tsp of coriander

1 tsp of cumin

2 tbsp flour

Salt

Pepper

Oil for frying

PROCEDURE

Place the chickpeas in a bowl and cover with water. Allow to soak overnight.  Drain the chickpeas, place in a pan with fresh water and allow to boil.  Boil for 5 minutes and thereafter let it simmer on low for about an hour.  Drain and allow it to cool for about an hour.  Combine the chickpeas, garlic, onion, cumin, salt and pepper in a medium sized bowl. Now add the flour.

Mash the chickpeas together and make sure to mix the ingredients together well. The result should be in the form of a thick paste.  Make small balls with this paste. Flatten them slightly. Deep fry until golden brown.  This should take around 5 minutes.

Falafel can be served with humus and tahini. Stuff the pita bread with falafel, lettuce, tomato or whatever salad you like and the seasoning of your choice. Falafel is healthy and has high protein content owing to the chickpeas. Also if you find that your falafel doesn’t have the right consistency and is not staying together you can add a little more flour until you feel the consistency is correct. Also vary the salt and pepper as per your taste.