Falafel (Deep Fried Fava Beans or Chickpeas)

Yield: 30 to 35 balls

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried fava beans or chick peas
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon, cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Pepper
• Flour
• Oil

Instructions

1. Soak the beans or chickpeas in water overnight. Drain. (If you use fava beans that are not skinless, remove the skins.) Mash the beans or peas into a fine paste in a blender.
2. Add the onion, parsley, egg, garlic, coriander, cumin, cayenne, baking soda, salt and pepper. Mix well in the blender. Let the mixture stand for 1/2 hour in the refrigerator.
3. Shape into small (1-inch) balls. Dust with flour.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan or use a deep fryer. Cook a few balls at a time, turning them until they are crisp and golden brown (approximately 5 minutes).
5. Drain on paper towels.
6. Serve while hot with Tahini or wrapped inside pita bread with sauce and lettuce.

Attribution

Photo credit: kalidoskopika on VisualHunt