How To Make Falafel Without A Food Processor

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Introduction

Falafel is a delicious Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, flavored with herbs and spices, and then fried to perfection. Traditionally, the mixture is prepared using a food processor to achieve the perfect texture. However, not everyone has this kitchen appliance at their disposal. But fear not, because making falafel without a food processor is entirely possible!

In this article, we will guide you through a step-by-step process on how to make falafel without a food processor. You’ll be able to recreate this flavorful dish using a few simple techniques and common kitchen tools. So, let’s get started!

Ingredients

Before diving into the process, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make falafel without a food processor:

• 1 cup dried chickpeas
• 1 small onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

The key ingredient here is dried chickpeas instead of canned. Soaking the dried chickpeas is crucial to achieving the right texture for your falafel.

Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of making falafel without a food processor!

Step 1: Soaking the Chickpeas

The first step in making falafel without a food processor is to soak the dried chickpeas. This process helps soften the chickpeas, making them easier to blend and resulting in a smoother texture for your falafel.

Here’s how you can soak the chickpeas:

1. Rinse the dried chickpeas thoroughly under cold water to remove any impurities.
2. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with enough water to submerge them completely.
3. Add a pinch of salt to the water, which helps in the soaking process.
4. Let the chickpeas soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. It’s best to leave them soaking for a longer period if possible, as this will ensure they become soft enough for blending.

After the chickpeas have soaked for the recommended time, drain them well and pat them dry using a paper towel.

Now that the chickpeas are ready, let’s move on to the next step of preparing the falafel mixture.

Step 2: Preparing the Falafel Mixture

With the soaked and dried chickpeas ready, it’s time to prepare the falafel mixture. Although we don’t have a food processor, we can still achieve a fine texture and combine all the flavors by using an alternative method.

Follow these steps to prepare the falafel mixture:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the soaked and dried chickpeas.
2. Using a fork or a potato masher, start mashing the chickpeas. Mash them until you achieve a coarse texture.
3. Add the chopped onion, garlic cloves, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
4. Continue mashing and mixing the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined.

If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time to moisten it. On the other hand, if the mixture feels too wet, add a tablespoon of flour or breadcrumbs to bind it together.

Once the falafel mixture is well combined, it’s time to shape the falafel patties. Let’s move on to the next step!

You can make falafel without a food processor by using a potato masher or a fork to mash the chickpeas and other ingredients together until they form a thick paste. This may take a little more effort, but it can be done!

Step 3: Shaping the Falafel Patties

Now that we have the falafel mixture ready, it’s time to shape it into patties. This step is where you can get creative and shape the falafel to your desired size and thickness.

Follow these steps to shape the falafel patties:

1. Take a small portion of the falafel mixture and roll it into a ball, about the size of a golf ball.
2. Flatten the ball slightly between your palms to form a patty shape.
3. Repeat the process with the remaining mixture, shaping each portion into a falafel patty.
4. Place the shaped falafel patties onto a baking sheet or a plate lined with parchment paper.

In order to maintain the shape while frying, it’s recommended to refrigerate the falafel patties for about 15-30 minutes before cooking them. This will help them hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart.

Now that we have our falafel patties ready, let’s move on to the next step, which is cooking them to perfection!

Step 4: Cooking the Falafel

Now that we have our perfectly shaped falafel patties, it’s time to cook them to a crispy golden brown. While traditionally falafel is deep-fried, we can achieve similar results using a shallow frying method.

Follow these steps to cook the falafel:

1. In a large skillet or frying pan, add enough oil to cover the bottom about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.
2. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the falafel patties into the pan, leaving a bit of space between them. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your pan.
3. Cook the falafel patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are crispy and lightly browned.
4. Once cooked, remove the falafel patties from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Remember to adjust the heat as needed to ensure the falafel cooks evenly without burning. You want a crispy exterior and a warm and soft interior.

Now that our falafel is ready, it’s time to serve and enjoy the delicious homemade goodness!

Step 5: Serving and Enjoying Your Homemade Falafel

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made falafel without a food processor! Now it’s time to savor the fruits of your labor by serving and enjoying your homemade falafel.

Here are some ideas for serving and enjoying your falafel:

1. Traditional Pita Pocket: Serve your falafel inside a warm pita bread pocket, along with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a drizzle of tahini sauce or tzatziki sauce.
2. Green Falafel Salad: Create a refreshing salad by placing falafel on a bed of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Top it off with a lemon-tahini dressing or a tangy vinaigrette.
3. Falafel Mezze Platter: Arrange your falafel on a platter alongside hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and pita bread. This makes for a perfect appetizer or a complete meal.
4. Falafel Wrap: Wrap your falafel in a large tortilla or lavash bread, along with your choice of toppings and sauces. It’s a portable and delicious option for meals on the go.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different serving options and accompaniments. Serve your homemade falafel with a side of pickles, hot sauce, or even some tangy yogurt dip.

Enjoy the crispy, flavorful bites of your homemade falafel and relish in the satisfaction of creating this Middle Eastern delight in your own kitchen without a food processor!

Conclusion

Cooking homemade falafel without a food processor may seem daunting, but with the right techniques and a few simple tools, you can achieve the same delicious results. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can make falafel using easily accessible ingredients and common kitchen tools.

Soaking the chickpeas, preparing the falafel mixture, shaping the patties, cooking them to perfection, and then serving and enjoying the final product allows you to experience the joy of creating this popular Middle Eastern dish in the comfort of your own home.

Remember, while traditionally falafel is deep-fried, shallow frying can yield equally satisfying results. Adjusting cooking times and heat levels ensures a crispy exterior and a tender interior, giving you the perfect texture for your falafel patties.

Once you’ve mastered the art of making falafel without a food processor, there are endless possibilities for serving and enjoying this versatile dish. Whether you choose to stuff it in a pita pocket, serve it as a salad, or create a mezze platter, the flavors and textures of the falafel will truly shine.

So go ahead, get creative in the kitchen, and impress your family and friends with your homemade falafel. With a little practice and a lot of love for this popular Middle Eastern dish, you’ll be able to recreate the flavors of your favorite falafel joint right in your own kitchen!