What is falafel and what does it taste like?!


Question: What is falafel and what does it taste like!?
Answers:
I cant believe u dont know what falfel is hehe!. anyways hun here is what i could gather for u:

Falafel a fried ball or patty made from spiced fava beans and/or chickpeas!. It is a popular form of fast food in the Middle East, where it is also served as a mezze!.

Falafel is usually served in a pita-like bread called lafa, either inside the bread, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flat bread!. In many countries falafel is a popular street food or fast food!. The falafel balls, whole or crushed, may be topped with salads, pickled vegetables and hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces!. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack!.

Falafel has been part of the diet of Egyptians and the people of the Middle East for centuries!.


Heres a pic of what falafel looks like:
http://blogs!.menupages!.com/sanfrancisco/!.!.!.


and heres the recipe from Youtube:
http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=pKkwir4Wq!.!.!.


cheers, i hope u try them soon =)Www@FoodAQ@Com

Falafel is made of chickpeas, spices and parsley/coriander, depends on the country!. Balls are made from this mix using a special appliance, fried in deep oil and served in pita bread (by the way, pita is NOT a lafa, lafa looks like a big tortilla) with salad and Tahini sauce, pickles and vegetable/cabbage salads, a type of mango chutney named Amba and sometimes potato chips!. It originates in the Middles East and recipes vary widely, there are dozens!. Its a popular street/ fast food!.
To Aussie Chef: falafel has nothing to do with kebabs - kebab is kebab and falafel is falafel! I hope you are joking!.!.!.and its originally Egyptian, though very popular in Israel!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

My husband is a chef specializing in Middle Eastern Cuisine!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Falafel is very popular in the Middle East as a fast food!. Vendors sell it on the street corners in Cairo!. As a main dish, it is served as a sandwich, stuffed in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini!. As an appetizer, it is served on a salad, or with hummus and tahini!. Falafel is a favorite among vegetarians!.

In Egypt, McDonald's has their version of a falafel sandwich!. Can you guess the name!? McFalafel, of course!.

here is my own special recipe I came up with while cooking in the middle east for 5 years!. I serve it to the V!.I!.P!. that come into my resturaunt from Kuwait and Syria!.

enjoy!.

1 cup dried chickpeas
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper
4 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon baking powder
4-6 tablespoons flour
Soybean or vegetable oil for frying
Chopped tomato for garnish
Diced onion for garnish
Diced green bell pepper for garnish
Tahina sauce
Pita bread

Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches!. Let soak overnight, then drain!. Or use canned chickpeas, drained!.

2!. Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade!. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin!. Process until blended but not pureed!.

3!. Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse!. You want to add enough bulgur or flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands!. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours!.

4!. Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts, or use a falafel scoop, available in Middle-Eastern markets!.

5!. Heat 3 inches of oil to 375 degrees in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test!. If it falls apart, add a little flour!. Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown!. Drain on paper towels!. Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, chopped tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and pickled turnips!. Drizzle with tahina thinned with water!.

NOTE: Egyptians omit the cilantro and substitute fava beans for the chickpeas!.

Tahina (also called tahini) is an oily paste made from ground sesame seeds!. It is available in Middle Eastern markets and at www!.ethnicgrocer!.com!.

? To garnish your falafel in true Israeli style, try adding one or several of the following condiments: harissa hot sauce, pickled turnip (both also available at www!.ethnicgrocer!.com), mango amba (pickle), or sauerkraut!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

take it from me i eat it every week it is so yummy it is made of red chutney some white sauce bugya letuce and a whole bunch of other stuff yummy here is a site with the recipe http://mideastfood!.about!.com/od/maindish!.!.!.
it isnt what i use but it is still one way when u try it you will be exploding with joyWww@FoodAQ@Com

Falafel is a fried chick pea patty that is deep fried and served in pita bread with a yogurt sauce, spicy sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, co=ucumbers, and seasoning!. They are amazingly good, Definitley need to try one!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

A falafel is an Israeli type of kebab!. I think their quite nice!. Go out & get one!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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