RecipesCooking Techniques

Authentic Egyptian Falafel

Authentic Egyptian Falafel

The most flavorful Falafel (IMHO!) comes from Egypt -- primarily because ONLY Egyptians make their Falafel with fava beans as opposed to chickpeas, like the rest of the Arab world.

Ingreadient

Preparing the Falafel Mix (makes about 3-4 falafel meals)

• 2 pounds split, peeled fava beans (available in Middle Eastern and South Asian grocery stores, or on Amazon)
• 1 bunch cilantro, washed and spun dry
• 1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, stems removed, washed and spun dry
• 4 scallions, washed and patted dry (optional)
• 3 medium onions, peeled and quartered
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled

Frying Falafel

• 3 cups fresh falafel mix (see above)
• 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 teaspoon salt (or taste)
• ¹/₂ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander (coarse, if possible)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ¹/₄ teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
• ¹/₄ cup plain breadcrumbs (optional, if needed to firm up falafel mix)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• ¹/₂ teaspoon baking powder

Direction

Preparing the Falafel Mix (makes about 3-4 falafel meals)

1. In a large mixing bowl, rinse dried fava beans in tap water 2-3 times. Do not touch the beans during this process.
2. Cover with tap water (should be 2 inches above beans) and soak overnight.
3. Drain water from soaked beans and rinse 1-2 times, again without touching the beans. Drain completely.
4. In a large-capacity food processor, add 2 cups of soaked beans at a time. Process until they resemble coarse meal. Remove to a large mixing bowl and process in batches until all the beans have been blended.
5. Add the cilantro to the food processor. Mix until finely chopped. Add to the bowl with the beans.
6. Add the parsley to the food processor. Mix until finely chopped. Add to the bowl with the beans and cilantro.
7. Add the scallions, onions, and garlic to the food processor. Mix until pureed. Add to the bean/herb mixture.
8. With a wooden spoon or gloved hand, mix all the ground beans, herbs, onions and garlic until thoroughly combined.
9. Process the coarse falafel mixture in the food processor, working in batches, until the texture becomes more fine. Do not overfill the food processor to ensure even texture. Empty the fine falafel mixture into a separate mixing bowl.
10. Once all the falafel has been processed into a fine paste, mix all the batches together so the mixture has one, homogeneous texture.
11. Either move to Step 2 of this recipe (frying) or freeze the falafel mix. This recipe yields about 3-4 meals' worth of Falafel mix.
12. To Freeze: Choose a zip-top bag appropriate for the portion size you'd like (from snack, sandwich, quart or gallon-size -- for our family I use quart size). Load each bag 3/4 full with falafel mix. Expel all extra air in the bag, then zip closed. Lay flat and flatten completely. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Frying Falafel

1. If using fresh falafel mix, please skip this step. For frozen falafel, defrost overnight in refrigerator on a plate to catch any drainage. Empty defrosted mixture into a mixing bowl.
2. Preheat the oil in a medium-sized, deep pot on medium heat (or an electric deep fryer). Do not fill the pot more than halfway with oil.
3. Stir the falafel mixture together; add all the seasonings/spices and mix thoroughly. If mix appears watery or thin, add a few sprinkles of breadcrumbs until it holds together.
4. Form falafel into balls (1/2 inch round) or discs (1 inch round, 1/4 inch thick) and smooth all over. Tap some sesame seeds to the outside of the falafel (optional).
5. When the oil is hot, carefully drop one falafel at a time into the hot oil. Fry at medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden/dark brown in color. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6. Continue frying batches of falafel, a few at a time (careful not to allow them to touch during frying) -- until all the falafel is done.
7. Serve falafel HOT immediately, along with Shepherd's salad, tahini sauce, and pita bread.