Falafel Pitas

Sarah_Jayne's Note:

I really enjoy falafel but I haven't had it since I started my weight loss 'journey' because when I get it at a takeaway shop I am never sure how they made it and how much oil has gone into frying it, etc. So, when I saw this recipe in the Autumn 2008 copy of BBC Easy Cook magazine, I decided to put it here so that I can learn to make my own.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 (14 ounce) cans chickpeas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cilantro
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• oil, for brushing
• 6 pita breads
• 1 head lettuce
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced

Directions:

1. Turn the grill/broiler to medium.
2. Tip the chickpeas into a food processor or blender with the onion, carrots, garlic, cilantro, cumin, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Whizz briefly so that you retain some of the chunky texture to the chickpeas.
4. Using your hands, shape the mixture into six burgers.
5. Brush both sides of each burger with a little oil.
6. Carefully place the burgers on to a grill/broiler pan lined with foil and grill/broil for 5 minutes on each side.
7. Meanwhile, toast the pita breads and tear the lettuce into strips.
8. Stuff the hot burgers into the pita breads.
9. Add a small handful of torn lettuce and a few slices of cucumber.
10. Serve drizzled with a spoonful of yogurt, if you wish.

Reviews

[Chef #998156]

The mixture turned out way too wet, even though I tried to make sure not to over-process. I left it sit in a sieve for a couple of hours, but it was still too wet to do anything with. I had to trash it all.

[BoscoBaby]

Thanks so much for posting this Sarah Jayne!! My boyfriend and I love falafel but much like you have committed to eating healthy and we also cook all our meals at home. I was really scared when I started putting things in the blender but I had spaghetti as a back up plan! However, this came out great. It had the same great true falafel taste. We ate this in whole wheat pita with some shredded lettuce and yogurt with a little lemon. I would have never thought of making my own healthier falafel if I hadn't come across your posting. Thanks!!

[Chef #1026133]

This was great! I made a yogurt, lemon and cucumber sauce to go with this (1 cup yogurt, 2 tbls lemon juice, 1/2 cup of cucumber chopped and a bit of wasabi) and it was simply delicious!