Take a culinary journey to the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine with our exploration of the tantalizing falafel pita sandwich. This delightful dish, bursting with flavors and textures, is a perfect blend of crispy falafel balls, tangy tahini sauce, and fresh, vibrant vegetables, all wrapped in a soft and fluffy pita bread. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just starting your culinary adventure, this step-by-step guide will lead you to crafting the perfect falafel pita sandwich experience, transforming your kitchen into a vibrant hub of Middle Eastern flavors.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
FALAFEL SANDWICH WITH SPICY TAHINI SAUCE
Nestled in pita bread, Middle Eastern falafel is draped with Spicy Tahini Sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place half the chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until chopped. Set aside in a bowl. Place remaining chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, coriander, cumin, paprika, salt, lemon juice, and tahini in food processor; process until a coarse paste is formed, about 30 seconds. Add to bowl of chopped chickpeas; add egg, flour, and sesame seeds. Stir until combined. Shape into 12 two-inch patties.
- Heat oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add patties; cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from oil; place on a paper-towel-lined tray.
- Fill pitas with lettuce, tomato, onion, and falafel. Drizzle with tahini sauce; serve.
FALAFEL PITA SANDWICH
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle to medium-high heat. Coat with olive oil and heat a pita round for 2 minutes on each side. The pita may begin to brown a little. Repeat with the remaining pita rounds, making sure to cut the top part to reveal the pocket after heating.
- Stuff each pita round with 3 falafel balls and a spoonful each of diced tomatoes and cucumber. Top each with sliced onion, chopped parsley, the optional pickles, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 434 kcal, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 461 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 19 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
FALAFEL WITH TABBOULEH AND TAHINI SAUCE
This recipe plays up Middle Eastern flavors and includes lots of fresh green herbs in the tabbouleh and falafel. Adding pomegranate molasses to the tahini lightens up the fat content and the yogurt also gives the sesame paste the lighter acidic kick it needs, helping the lemon juice.
Provided by Anne Burrell
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings (12 falafel)
Number Of Ingredients 33
Steps:
- For the falafel: To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, cilantro, parsley, chickpea flour, ground cumin, salt, baking soda, onions and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and then pulse again to make sure the ingredients are fully combined. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the sesame seeds, baking powder and cayenne. Mix to combine.
- Scoop the mixture using a 3-ounce cookie scoop and place onto a sheet tray. Roll each falafel into a ball and then lightly squish into patties. Dust each patty with chickpea flour.
- Fill a large high-sided pan with 1 inch of canola oil and add the olive oil. Turn on the heat to low and gently heat the oil until it shimmers. Test the oil with a pinch of flour; if it sizzles, the oil is ready. Working in batches, fry the falafel, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, season immediately with kosher salt, then transfer to a sheet tray lined with a rack. Repeat with remaining falafel patties.
- For the tabbouleh: Add the bulgur and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into a large, heat-resistant bowl. Mix with a spoon to coat the bulgur with the oil. Cover the bulgur with the boiling water, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the soaked bulgur through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the water. Spread the bulgur onto a quarter sheet tray to cool.
- Add the garlic paste, lemon zest, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil into a large bowl and whisk to combine. Put the cooled bulgur, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, scallions, parsley and mint into another large bowl. Fold the dressing into the bulgur mixture and season with kosher salt to taste.
- For the tahini sauce: Add the tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses and kosher salt to taste into a bowl. Whisk to combine. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
- To serve, plate the romaine lettuce and top with the falafel. Serve alongside the toasted pita bread, tabbouleh and top with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Serve this traditional falafel from Michael's Genuine Food & Drink chef Michael Schwartz tucked inside pita bread for a satisfying sandwich or on its own as a protein-packed appetizer.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Makes about 2 dozen falafels
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Place bowl in refrigerator and let soak until the chickpeas swell to double their size, at least 12 hours and up to 24. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Transfer rinsed chickpeas to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well ground (about the consistency of cornmeal). Add onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper; process until mixture is pureed, scraping down sides as necessary. Falafel mixture can be made 3 to 4 days in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Fill a countertop electric fryer or a deep pot 3 inches high with oil. Heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Using your hands, form falafel mixture into a 1 3/4-inch balls, pressing tightly so that falafel does not fall apart while frying.
- Using a slotted spoon and working in batches, carefully add falafel to hot oil, gently nudging so they do not stick to the bottom. Fry, turning as needed, until crusty and dark brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer falafel to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve immediately with tahini and pickled vegetables.
PITA SALAD SANDWICHES WITH TAHINI SAUCE
I love tahini sauce and pita sandwiches! I adapted this recipe slightly from one I found in Vegetarian Times.
Provided by Enjolinfam
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 20m
Yield 4 pita sandwiches, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until blended.
- Slice an edge from each pita bread, and carefully open pockets.
- In a medium bowl, combine feta, tomatoes, and spinach. Add 1/4 cup of sauce, and toss gently to mix. Spoon the mixture into each pocket.
- Divide sprouts, cucumber, and avocado among the sandwiches. Drizzle each with about 1 Tbsp of tahini sauce.
- Serve right away.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 545.5, Fat 28.3, SaturatedFat 11.7, Cholesterol 57.3, Sodium 1079.3, Carbohydrate 57.4, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 12.3, Protein 22.8
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
There's not one "right" way to make a falafel. So if you like less onion, put in less onion. If you like more herbs, put in more herbs. More spice, more spice. It's really up to you.
Provided by Amanda Cohen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Make the spice mix: In a skillet over low heat, toast the coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Grind the toasted seeds in a spice grinder. Add the dried parsley, granulated garlic, chili powder, granulated onion, za'atar, sumac, allspice, chili flakes, a few turns of black pepper and continue grinding to combine. Set aside. Spice mix will keep for several weeks in an airtight jar.
- For the falafel: In a food processor, add the chickpeas, chopped onion and garlic, parsley, cilantro, baking soda, spice mix and salt. Pulse until the mixture's combined and the chickpeas are pea-size, stopping and stirring halfway through. Tightly pack the falafel mixture into balls the size of an extra large marble and set aside.
- Fry the falafel: Pour oil half full into a deep pan and set over medium heat. Secure a deep-fry thermometer to the pan's side and heat oil to 375 degrees F. Using a spider strainer, gently drop the falafel balls, one at a time, into the hot oil making sure the pot isn't overcrowded with falafel. Cook until most of the bubbles have disappeared and the falafel is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet to cool and repeat the process until all of the falafel balls are cooked.
- Make the tahini dressing and assemble the dish: In a blender add the garlic, water, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and lemon juice if necessary and blend again. Set aside. Tahini sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To serve, place falafel balls on a platter, drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with parsley and a lemon wedge.
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Adapted from The Splendid Table's online newsletter. Light and fluffy, my husband said if he could eat this at every meal he'd be happy as a vegetarian. I make the sauce first, then the falafel. Serve on a plate with the sauce as part of a Middle Eastern meal, or stuff into a pita with vegetables and dress with sauce. We like this with Recipe#12165.
Provided by zeldaz51
Categories Beans
Time 45m
Yield 16 pieces, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Falafel: Grind the first four spices in a spice grinder or moprtar and pestle. Place the ground spices in the workbowl of a food processor along with the chickpeas, onion, and garlic. Pulse several times to mince the contents.
- Add the sesame seeds, matzo meal, parsley, and baking powder and pulse until evenly mixed, being careful not to puree the mixture.
- Beat the egg in a large bowl, add the chickpea mixture, salt, and pepper and mix well. Chill at least 15 minutes.
- Form 16 balls of the chilled chickpea mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, flattening each ball slightly.
- Heat the oil to 360 degrees in a large heavy pot and fry the falafel until golden, turning at least once. This should take 2 or 3 minutes. Drain well before serving, hot, with the tahini sauce and lemon wedges.
- Tahini Sauce ( makes about 1/2 cup):Combine all ingredients except water in the workbowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the water slowly with the motor running until it forms a creamy sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2246.8, Fat 230.5, SaturatedFat 30.1, Cholesterol 46.5, Sodium 1944.3, Carbohydrate 42.2, Fiber 8.3, Sugar 1, Protein 12.5
FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Falafel, usually tucked into pita bread with lettuce, tomato, and tahini sauce, is one of the best-known Middle Eastern street foods. At home, falafels make a rustic hot hors d'oeuvre, with a bowl of creamy tahini sauce for dipping. These fry up just right: crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. The baking powder gives the falafels a little lift so they don't sit in your stomach like belly bombs! All the fresh herbs make for a vibrant flavor and super green color. The chickpeas need to soak for a bit, so plan accordingly. The falafels are amazing with Quick Pickled Vegetables (page 235).
Yield makes about 2 dozen falafels
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add cool water to cover by 3 inches. Soak the beans in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24; the chickpeas will swell to double their original size. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Put the soaked chickpeas in a food processor and pulse until well ground (about the consistency of cornmeal). Add the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper; process until the mixture is completely pureed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. If you have a small processor, you will have to do this in batches, but be sure to combine the batches in a mixing bowl at the end so all the ingredients are evenly distributed. You can make the falafel mixture 3 or 4 days in advance; store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Heat 3 inches of oil to 350°F in a countertop electric fryer or deep pot. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, a good way to test if the oil is hot enough is to stick the end of a wooden spoon or chopstick in it. If bubbles circle around the end, then you're good to go.
- Form the falafel mixture into golf-size balls with your hands. Be sure to press the mixture tightly; if the balls are too loose they'll fall apart. Carefully slip a few of the falafels at a time into the hot oil with a slotted spoon, gently nudging them so they don't stick to the bottom. Fry until the falafels are a crusty dark brown on all sides, turning as needed so there are no hot spots, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the falafels with a slotted spoon and drain on a platter lined with paper towels.
- To serve, arrange the falafels on a platter with a bowl of tahini sauce on the side for dipping.
- Combine the tahini, soy, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a blender. Process on high speed to make a smooth and creamy sauce. If the tahini sauce gets too thick as it sits, mix in a little bit of water or lemon juice to thin it out.
FALAFEL PITA SANDWICH WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Falafel has such a prominent taste, but the tahini and freshness of the vegetables really complement it nicely.
Provided by cpchef
Categories Sandwiches
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place falafel on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- While falafel bake, whisk tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika together in a bowl.
- Cut about 1 inch from the top of each pita to form a pocket. Add 2 falafel to each pita with equal amounts lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickle, and red onion. Drizzle each with about 1 tablespoon tahini sauce and some harissa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 361.3 calories, Carbohydrate 53.4 g, Fat 12.7 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 576.4 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
FALAFEL PITA SANDWICH WITH TAHINI SAUCE
Falafel has such a prominent taste, but the tahini and freshness of the vegetables really complement it nicely.
Provided by cpchef
Categories Sandwiches
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place falafel on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- While falafel bake, whisk tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika together in a bowl.
- Cut about 1 inch from the top of each pita to form a pocket. Add 2 falafel to each pita with equal amounts lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickle, and red onion. Drizzle each with about 1 tablespoon tahini sauce and some harissa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 361.3 calories, Carbohydrate 53.4 g, Fat 12.7 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 576.4 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
Tips:
- Soak the chickpeas overnight: This will help them soften and cook more evenly.
- Use a food processor to grind the chickpeas: This will help to create a smooth and consistent texture.
- Add fresh herbs and spices to the falafel mixture: This will give them a delicious and flavorful taste.
- Fry the falafel in hot oil until they are golden brown: This will help to create a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
- Serve the falafel in pita bread with tahini sauce and your favorite toppings: This is a classic and delicious way to enjoy this Middle Eastern dish.
Conclusion:
Falafel is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are making it at home or ordering it from a restaurant, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you are getting the best possible experience. By following the tips above, you can create delicious and authentic falafel that will impress your friends and family.
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