Baked Falafel Wrap

Falafel is a worldwide known middle-eastern dish. I became aware about Falafel only when we moved to New Jersey that is closer to New York city.You have street vendors selling Falafel as lunch to the all the city working crowd and the tourists from all over the world. New York can truly be called the melting pot of all the cultures from the world. You have good restaurants from all ethnicities of the world in the city. It is fun being there and just sitting at a nice spot and watching all the hustle and bustle happening around you. And while you are relaxing and taking in the city, never forget to munch on a yummy falafel.

Falafel are basically deep fried balls of chickpeas/ garbanzo beans. I just made small patties instead of balls and baked it in the oven. Came out good and when I put it in a pita with the other good stuff, it just tasted like those falafels you get in the city.

Ingredients:

For  Falafel

• 1 cup chickpeas/ garbanzo beans (soaked overnight, cooked and drained)
• 1/2 cup semolina (not the flour)
• 3-4 green chillies (depending upon taste)
• 1/2 cup cilantro (wash and chop it)
• 1/2 cup parsley (wash and chop it)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tsp crushed coriander seeds
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt to taste

For the Wrap:

• Whole wheat pita bread or any pita, flat or pocket ones.
• Shredded lettuce
• Tomatoes chopped
• Onions Chopped
• Cucumbers chopped
• Hummus (I used home made hummus will put recipe in separate post)
• Hot Sauce ( I just thinned tomato ketchup with water and added some chili powder, until it tasted right)

Directions:

For Falafel

• In a blender, put green chillies, parsley, cilantro, garlic, some cooked garbanzo beans and blend well.Remove from blender in to a bowl.
• Now put the remaining garbanzo beans and blend. If you have few beans or pieces left that is alright. Just ensure that most of it is well mashed.
• Transfer the mashed beans into the same bowl. Mix both the pastes well. Add semolina, cumin powder, crushed coriander seeds, salt and baking powder. Mix well. The mixture will become dough like. Knead it and form small golf sized balls and just flatten it and place on a greased baking sheet. Spray top with cooking oil spray.

• Put it in a preheated oven at 400 degree F and bake for around 20-30 minutes. Just flip the patties halfway so that both sides get evenly browned.

For the Wrap

• Lightly warm the pita bread on a griddle on both sides or in a oven.
• Spread hummus on the pita bread and drizzle hot sauce.

• Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cucumber.

• Now add as many falafels as you like or depending on the size of pita.

• Add a dollop of hummus on top and drizzle with hot sauce.

• Tightly roll the pita and wrap it with aluminium foil to make eating it easier.

• Enjoy your yummy wrap.

The falafels can be enjoyed in a wrap like above or can be had as appetizers with hummus, tahini and hot sauce. For special occasions you can also deep fry the balls of falafel.