That’s right Sis, I got you. In the weird world of cooking for my family, I have made some surprising discoveries. First, my children don’t like ALL sweet things (and I am so glad). Secondly, my kids usually accept my food dicta without significant complaint and finally (drumroll) my kids will eat anything that has anything to do with chickpeas. Errrrrrrh….. what what WHAT? Yes, that’s right chickpeas. I have no explanation for you.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the little buggers myself, but that discovery certainly had not happened by age 6. There was not significant trickery to get them to try the little beans, although I admit to calling them tushies and pointing out that they look like a little pile of baby bums. Some people might not want to eat that, but it worked for my kids… go figure. So when trying to decide what to make for dinner the other night, and since I was feeling kind of summery and listening to great music, I thought falafel made a lot of sense (if you don’t get the connection you probably wasted less of your 20s than I did).
When I found a falafel recipe, however, I noticed that it had wheat flour and breadcrumbs in it. Not surprising – most pattie type foods have one or both of these, but thought, I couldn’t possibly serve these to my sister’s family as written, and so I began my usual alteration dance with gluten free falafel as the goal. And guess what? Gluten free falafel is awesome, regardless of whether or not you’re in the parking lot of a large concert venue. Gluten free falafel rocked this suburban (okay exurban for the geography geeks – holla!) momma and Ms. Picky Pants? She had thirds. Yep. Thirds. Enough said. If Ms. Picky Pants has thirds, I’m pretty convinced everyone should give this one a go.
Rockin’ Gluten Free Falafel – adapted from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’ falafel found in Vegan with a Vengeance (Grrrrr. Sorry, just being vengeful)
1/3 c gluten free rolled oats
2 cups cooked chickpeas (canned is fine, just drain and rinse)
2 T chickpea flour
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 t garlic powder ( I usually use fresh garlic, but had a garlic emergency – AAAAGH!)
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t ground cumin (more for folks with cumin love – unlike Ms. PP)
1 t ground coriander
1/4 t of cayenne (I replaced with 1/8 t white pepper – yeah, you get the drill)
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1/2 t salt
vegetable oil for frying (I used olive oil, but will use safflower next time)
large leaf lettuce
falafel fixings (chopped tomato, cukes, whatever floats your boat)
tahini dressing
Put the oats in a food processor and pulse until the oats look more like bread crumbs than oats. Add chickpeas and pulse until chickpeas are chopped. Add ingredients through the salt and process until you have a cohesive, but somewhat coarse mixture. It will be a little green from the parsley – it’s okay. You may want to stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl a couple of times. Remove bowl of food processor (with blade inside) and put in the fridge (with the cover on) for at least 1/2 an hour.
When the time is right, form the batter into 2 inch patties about 1/2 inch thick (no, again, I didn’t and won’t any time soon measure). Warm oil in the bottom of a pan (I used my cast iron and it worked supah). How much oil? More than a low fat cook would normally use, but i avoided the 1/2 inch recommended in the original because I thought that was gross. I know falafel are traditionally deep fried – my shallow fried falafel were fab. When oil is warm (shimmery and bubbles up a little when a little batter is added), place patties in pan. Flip after a couple of minutes, watching for browning. Remove to drain on paper towels or paper bag you wish to reuse.
Tahini Dressing – this one was also from VWAV, and I strayed less, which is to say only because of what was on hand rather than some dietary goal…
8 t olive oil
1 1/2 garlic powder (or 3 cloves garlic)
1/2 c tahini (or realize you don’t have that much and sub out almond butter for half)
2 t balsamic vinegar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t paprika
1/4 c parsley
1/2 c water
Throw it all in a blender and go. Yep, that’s it and it’s tremendously good.
Serve the falafel wrapped in a lettuce leaf or your favorite gluten free bread product. If you aren’t so concerned about gluten, try the traditional pita arrangement. Add fresh veg and some tahini and you’ve got yourself a little party. I have to admit. I ate too many. They were just so freaking good. Delish.
Made this and the Hubbin’ really liked it! I was out of parsley, so had to skip that but otherwise the recipe worked out pretty well. I served it on fresh baby arugala which added another dimension of flavor. I also found the dish to be very hearty and one of those falafel patties was plenty!
Great! Glad you liked it! And I imagine you’re right that one would do it – I haven’t managed to stop at one yet. 😉
I LOVE falafel!! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays and for the link back :o) Can’t wait to see what you bring next week. Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
I’ll have to try your recipe. Since I cut out meat completely from my diet I’m finding it difficult to stay away from “bread” and we LOVE chickpeas here.
Thanks so much for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist. Hope to see you again this week!
OH YUM!! I love falafels! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you are bringing to the party this week! We have another GREAT giveaway!
Looks totally amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank YOU for stopping by! Let us know if you give it a go!
YOU are indeed a rockin Sister. This sounds fantastic, and going on the menu this week 😉 And if Miss PP likes it, mine will definitely like it.
So yummy!
I’ve been introducing my husband to a whole lot more vegan food than he used to eat and this sounds perfect!
Excellent! Let us know how it goes!
Made this and the Hubbin’ really liked it! I was out of parsley, so had to skip that but otherwise the recipe worked out pretty well. I served it on fresh baby arugala which added another dimension of flavor. I also found the dish to be very hearty and one of those falafel patties was plenty!
Great! Glad you liked it! And I imagine you’re right that one would do it – I haven’t managed to stop at one yet. 😉
Oooh! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Pinned to my gluten-free board! Love this recipe 🙂
Linda
With A Blast
Thanks for the pin Linda! Let us know if you give it a go!
Have not tried it yet but it is in the plan! Thank you for sharing at our All My Bloggy Friends Party !
I am beginning to acquire a fondness for these. I can’t believe it took so long.
Let us know if you give them a try!
I think I would eat too many as well…they sound great.
They really were! Thanks so much for stopping by!
These look very delish and are making me hungry for the little restaurant below hubby’s office!
Thanks for sharing on our Healthy Tuesdays Blog Hop. Hope you will join us again next week!
Kerry from Country Living On A Hill
They really are yummy! Thanks for hosting Kerry!
I LOVE falafel!! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays and for the link back :o) Can’t wait to see what you bring next week. Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
I love falafel!
Great recipe. Pinning this one and will be trying it in the future.
Thanks for the pin! Let us know if you give it a try!
Wishing you a peaceful Memorial Day Weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I have never had falafel but this looks and sounds yummy. Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friday
Gluten free falafel! Love it 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers!
I’ll have to try your recipe. Since I cut out meat completely from my diet I’m finding it difficult to stay away from “bread” and we LOVE chickpeas here.
Thanks so much for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist. Hope to see you again this week!
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-with-twist-7-and-huge-seed.html
OH YUM!! I love falafels! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you are bringing to the party this week! We have another GREAT giveaway!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Mmmm, sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing this with us on Wildcrafting Wednesday last week!
made these tonight. yum yum!! very good!
So glad you enjoyed them – and so nice of you to let us know! Hope you have a super weekend Anna!
Pingback: Nutshroom Neatballs (GF,DF): Endless Possibilities | my sister's pantry
Pingback: Weekly Meal Plan 12/1-12/7 | my sister's pantry
Pingback: Weekly Meal Plan 2/16-2/22 | my sister's pantry
Pingback: Weekly Meal Plan 4/6-4/12 | my sister's pantry
Pingback: Weekly Meal Plan 1/4-1/10 | my sister's pantry