Vegan Falafel

By LEP04

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas
• 2 small onions, peeled and chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 very large bunch fresh coriander
• 1 very large bunch fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more for cooking)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup chickpea flour

Preparation

Step 1

Throw into a food processor the chickpeas, onion, garlic, cumin, fresh herbs and oil. Process until you have a thick but smooth texture. Add a little oil or water if it’s not coming together easily. (I have a small processor so I did this in two batches. Now add this to a large bowl and add the salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. The mixture should stick together nicely when you roll it between your hands.

Now, lifting heaped teaspoon amounts into your hands, roll into small rounds and then flatten slightly with your fingers.

Heat a very shallow amount of olive oil in a frying pan and cook the falafel until brown on both sides. This should take around 5 minutes on each side. Now place in a pre-heated oven at 400F/200C/gas mark 6 for another 20 minutes.

I also baked a few instead of frying and they turned out great. Simply place on a baking sheet, brush with some oil and bake for about 30-35 minutes, turning once. Do this is a hotter oven at 425F/220C/gas 7.

Serve with pita bread or wraps, lettuce, tomato, avocado, radishes and of course…hummus!Sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper and maybe some smoked paprika. Enjoy!