Healthy Eats: Falafel Sandwiches

In the city I've had some pretty bad felafel. The worst, I'd have to say, was from the food truck parked at the corner of our street, which serves up crunchy, dry, and over-salted deep-fried balls of disgrace. But I guess that's not surprising from a truck that also serves "chessburgers" and "sosages."

On the other hand, Crisp in Midtown serves up a tasty felafel ball. This week I decided to try my hand at this Middle Eastern staple and was very pleased with the results. It was delicious! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and full of flavor. Stuffed in a pita with tabouli, lettuce, tomato, hummus, and greek yogurt, it's my new favorite healthy eat.

Here she is...

Felafel Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (15 oz.) can garbonzo beans, rinsed, drained & patted dry
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. coriander
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tbs. flour
• 2 tbs. bread crumbs
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 tbs. olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. Wrap onion in paper town and squeeze out as much moisture as possible
2. Mash bean with a fork until coarsely mixed
3. Combine onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and baking soda in food processor. Process until coarsely pureed.
4. Combine beans and herb/spice/baking soda mixture in a bowl. Mix in bread crumbs, flour and egg.
5. Form 6 balls and then flatten slightly.
6. Heat olive oil in frying pan. Add falafel balls to pan and cook each side for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
7. Place falafel balls in preheated oven for 10 min.
8. Layer falafel balls in pita with desired toppings.  We used lettuce, tomato, tabouli, hummus and plain greek yogurt.