INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 egg
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup dry bread crumbs
oil for frying


YOGURT SAUCE:
1 (6 ounce) container plain yogurt
1/2 cucumber - peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon mayonnaise




DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides.

In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Serve on a pita with lettuce and tomato

Yum! Im a big fan of the Middle Eastern foods. I will make my own Hummus also. Im going to try this one.

Im a middle eastern chef.. if u add fresh mint to the sauce, its even better, in india called raita... mmmmmm some people call it taziki as the greek sauce..

thank you

Sure, also if you add a little sour cream it works out nice too. instead of mayo.

I love the spices used in Middle Eastern food. Its so aromatic and exotic. Another one of my favorite dishes is Stuffed Grape Leaves. You can make them vegetarian or with little bits of lamb in rice and seasonings and then roll them similar to cigars.

Yes, Ive made many.. what a pain in the ass.. the secret there is.. when you cook them in a pot of water covering them.. You line the pot first with slices of potatoes on the bottom so nothing sticks, and they cook evenly, and dont burn.

Interesting. Yes I have done them once myself. You can find the grape leaves in a jar usually in a grocery store that carries more gourmet type products but they are a lot of hassle and bother to make. Its easier just to go to a restaurant and then you get all the Middle Eastern atmosphere also.

Yum. I love Middle Eastern food too! This is a great Post! I tried to make the stuffed grape leaves (which are one of my favorite things) once but they kept falling apart. I tried the ones in a can but they were just lame. Luckily, Houston has some good places to buy them fresh.

I dont like the flavor of the vegetarian grape leave rolls because they seem to have a vinegar bite to them that is unpleasant to me. I cant tell if its vinegar or lemon juice. The lamb ones dont have that flavor and it just tastes like lamb, rice, cumin etc...Of course not everyone likes lamb or they are unfamiliar with it. I grew up eating a lot of lamb so I guess I am accustomed to the flavor and smell. You can actually eat raw lamb provided its very fresh. Thats another Arabic dish.

I'm no expert, I just eat them. But to me, the lamb stuffed grape leaves are the only "real" ones. The others just have no flavor. There is a place here called "Dimassi's" that is usually rated the highest for vegetarian food in Houston. All their dishes like Falafel, are great. But they serve lamb also in the grape leaves, braised lamb shanks (yum), and other dishes.

Never had the grape leaves but i love the falafel.

It is so good!

I have never made Falafel but I love it too and your recipe sounds like a good incentive to learn to make my own. Of course I can't leave a recipe alone. By the time I get through with it will be

Falafel with Poblamo Peppers, or some other weirdness.

Thanks

You just fold in the ends, and roll it tight. Best not not handle them much til theyre cooked.

Mine looked like used baby diapers without the safety pins. LOL Thanks.