Jerusalem is known to have some of the best falafel places in the world. Whenever I’m there, I never miss the opportunity to devour this divine cuisine. Additionally, my favorites are the small places that serve homemade falafel which fills my mouth with water when I just think about it. Here is the story:
I had been walking for hours, taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant market, However, my stomach was growling loudly, reminding me that it was time to find some lunch. The blistering sun beating down on the dusty market made it difficult to think straight, let alone find anything to eat. Nearby, a small falafel stand was tempting customers with its aroma. Furthermore, the line was short, and it was hard to resist the smell of frying oil and spices.
As I patiently waited my turn in line, the person ahead of me placed their order. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, it was finally my turn to order from the friendly vendor. I chose a delicious falafel in a pita and a cold drink to cool me down. He grinned and nodded, quickly assembling the sandwich with expert hands.
The sandwich was full of delicious flavors, and I savored every bite as I continued walking. The falafel was light and fluffy on the inside, with a perfectly crispy exterior. The crunch of the warm, crispy homemade falafel balls was like nothing I had ever tasted before, and the combination of flavors – spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet – was simply heavenly. The vegetables were fresh and crunchy, and the sauces added the perfect amount of tang and heat – unlike any other falafel I had tasted before.
With a sense of determination, I approached the friendly vendor and asked if he would be willing to share the recipe for his delicious falafel with me. To my delight, he agreed with a smile and began to list the ingredients and instructions.
The homemade falafel recipe calls for dried chickpeas, not canned ones. Other ingredients include half a teaspoon of baking soda, a cup of fresh parsley (stems removed), three-quarters of a cup of fresh cilantro (stems removed), half a cup of fresh dill (stems removed), a small onion quartered, seven to eight cloves of peeled garlic, salt to taste, a tablespoon of ground black pepper, a tablespoon of ground cumin, a tablespoon of ground coriander, and an optional teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Additionally, the recipe calls for a teaspoon of baking powder, two tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds, and oil for frying.
He explained the method to perfect falafel balls. First, he blends spices to create a special mixture. Then, he seasons the chickpea mixture with this blend of spices. The secret to perfect falafel lies in getting the right texture for the balls. He even gave me a small bag of spices to take home with me, which included a handwritten recipe card that had all of the details listed.
You can enjoy homemade falafel in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve it with:
Pita bread: Falafel is traditionally served in pita bread. You can stuff your pita with falafel balls, salad, and tahini sauce for a complete meal.
Salad: Falafel goes well with fresh, crunchy vegetables. Consider serving it with a salad made with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. You can also add some chopped onions and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.
Hummus: Another popular Middle Eastern dish, hummus is a perfect accompaniment to falafel. You can serve it as a dip or spread it on your pita bread.
Tahini sauce: This sesame-based sauce is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and pairs perfectly with falafel. You can make your tahini sauce with lemon juice, garlic, and salt, or buy it ready-made from a store.
Pickles: Pickled vegetables like cucumbers, turnips, and radishes are often served alongside falafel. They add a tangy and crunchy contrast to the soft and savory falafel balls.
Hot sauce: If you like your food spicy, try adding some hot sauce or harissa to your falafel sandwich. It will give it an extra kick of flavor.
Fries: It may seem unconventional, but many people like to pair their falafel with french fries. The combination of crispy fries and soft falafel balls is surprisingly tasty.
Rice: For a more substantial meal, serve your falafel with rice. You can make a pilaf with rice, onions, and spices, or serve plain steamed rice with some grilled vegetables on the side.
These are just a few ideas for what to serve with homemade falafel. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination of flavors!
So here is my favorite homemade falafel recipe:
Ingredients:
- Dried chickpeas are required for this recipe – about 2 cups (not canned ones)
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda
- 1 cup of fresh parsley, with stems removed.
- 3/4 cup of fresh cilantro, with stems removed.
- 1/2 cup of fresh dill, with stems removed.
- Quartered small onion
- Peeled 7-8 garlic cloves
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp of ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp of ground cumin
- 1 tbsp of ground coriander
- 1 tsp of cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 2 tbsp of toasted sesame seeds
- Oil for frying
How to make homemade falafel?
- For perfect falafel mixture preparation, start by soaking dried chickpeas in a bowl of water with baking soda for a minimum of 18 hours (even more if not soft). Afterward, drain and pat dry.
- Using a food processor, add the ingredients of herbs, onions, garlic, and spices together. Pulse the mixture every 40 seconds until fully combined. Refrigerate it for at least one hour to allow the flavors to blend and can be kept overnight.
- Stir in the baking powder and sesame seeds before frying, then use your wet hands to form the mixture into patties about half an inch thick.
- Using a medium saucepan, heat about three inches of oil over a medium-high flame and wait until it softly bubbles. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the warm oil and allow them to fry for approximately three to five minutes until they are crispy brown. Cook more batches if necessary.
- Fry the falafel patties until they are golden and crispy. When done, transfer them to a plate or colander lined with paper towels for any extra oil to be drained. Serve these hot falafels paired with tahini or hummus among other veggies, such as arugula.
I hope you enjoy this recipe. This is a great opportunity to make one of the common Middle Eastern dishes, and in my opinion – one of the best ones!
