Mastering Falafel: A Comprehensive Guide to Making Chickpea Onions and Garlic Filling
Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, making falafel at home can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Originating from the Middle East, falafel is a beloved dish made from a mixture of ground chickpeas, onions, garlic, and spices. In this guide, we will take you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you achieve a perfect falafel that will impress both your family and friends.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
When it comes to making falafel, the quality of your ingredients is key. As someone who has spent years getting it wrong, I advise against using canned chickpeas. The consistency can be off, leading to a less-than-ideal outcome. Always opt for dried chickpeas for the best results.
Soaking and Preparation
Begin by soaking the dried chickpeas in water for 24 hours. To enhance the texture, add a small amount of baking soda or a similar alkaline substance to the soaking water. This chemical reaction, similar to what is used in bread-making, will help make the chickpeas lighter and fluffier. This step is crucial for achieving a perfect falafel texture.
Cooking the Base Mixture
Once the chickpeas are soaked and prepared, it's time to cook the base. Cube the onion, shallots, garlic, parsley, coriander, ginger, and add sesame oil to a food processor. Note that ginger and sesame oil are not traditional, but they enhance the flavor. Blitz the mixture for about 2 to 3 times, then add the chickpeas and blitz 4 to 5 times until the mixture resembles wet sand. Be careful not to leave the processor on and walk away; it can result in a paste.
Spices and Seasoning
The choice of spices is what gives falafel its unique flavor. The spices used can vary based on the region and recipe. For example, an Egyptian falafel might use a different blend of spices compared to a Lebanese one. You can customize your own blend according to your taste preferences, but traditional falafel usually contains cumin, coriander, turmeric, and sumac.
Resting and Shaping
To allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to rest, place the combined mixture in a bowl and cover it. Leave it in the fridge overnight. The following day, add baking powder (about 1/2 teaspoon for a medium-sized bowl) and sesame or pine nuts. Mix these ingredients by hand. The baking powder will help the falafel hold its shape when deep-fried, while the nuts add a delightful crunch.
Serving and Variations
You can serve the falafel as is or as a shawarma filling. For the latter, sauté onions, garlic, and ground beef with sumac, cumin, turmeric, and a small touch of chili. Flatten the falafel, place a small amount of meat in the center, and fold it. Ensure the balls are not too big to guarantee even cooking. Enjoy your homemade falafel, which is sure to delight your family and friends!
Conclusion
Making falafel is not just aboutFollowing a recipe; it's about experimenting and adding your own twist. With patience and practice, you can create delicious and authentic falafel that will become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and start your falafel-making journey today!