Falafel is a delicious Middle Eastern dish, that can be made from either chickpeas or fava beans.  The small fried balls are commonly served in a pita bread, which acts as a pocket and topped with a tahini sauce and pickled vegetables. They are a fantastic lunch snack and are equally as good placed on top of a green salad, sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Falafel balls & tahini sauce

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

2 large brown onions 1 cup parsley leaves 1/4 tsp chili powder 1/2 cup plain flour

6 garlic cloves
1 cup coriander leaves
2 tsp cumin
2 cups cooked chickpeas,  2 tsp baking powder
salt and pepper to taste , 1/2 cup plain flour

Tahini Sauce Ingredients

1 1/4 cups Greek yoghurt
1/4 cup tahini paste
2 tbsp lemon juice and zest – Mix all ingredients together and place in the fridge

Method

1. Add onions, garlic to a food processor, pulse until finely minced. Remove from theblender and set aside.
2. To the food processor add the chickpeas, parsley, coriander, salt, chili and cumin andblend lightly (do not blend to a puree).
3. Return the onion to food processor, add baking powder and half the flour at a time, sowhen you pulse the mixture forms a small ball and is not sticky.
4. Transfer the mixture to a clean bowl, cover with cling film and refrigerate for an hour.
5. Once cool, scoop small, even spoons to form a ball.
6. Heat a large heavy based frying pan with some sunflower oil and cook three minuteseach side. Drain on kitchen towel, season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve with pita bread, the tahini sauce and some shredded lettuce