Recipe by – Dr. Vincent Esposito, Ms, DC
These delicious falafels with a fresh Mediterranean salad are simple to make and full of fragrant spices. You can make these with minimal equipment as no food processor is required.
They are one of the EASY recipes from our Meal Plans for BUSY People that run every week.
Falafel (No Food Processor) and Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz. can Chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1 ⁄2 cup Oat Flour or almond flour
- 1 ⁄2 cup Parsley chopped
- 1 ⁄2 cup Cilantro
- 1 ⁄2 Red Onion minced
- 3-4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 tsp. Cumin
- 1 tsp. Ground Cloves
- 1 tsp. Dried Thyme
- 1 tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp. Ground Coriander
- 1 tbsp. Za’atar Seasoning
- Olive Oil
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- For the Salad
- 6 oz. Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 English Cucumbers diced
- 1 ⁄2 Red Onion diced
- 1 ⁄2 cup Kalamata Olives pitted and chopped
- Olive Oil
- 2 tsp. Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- 2 tsp. Dried Oregano
- 2 tsp. Dried Basil
Instructions
- Rinse and chop the produce accordingly. Preheat oven to 400 ̊F. Line 1 baking tray.
- Make the salad. Add the red onion, cucumber, olives, and cherry tomatoes to a bowl. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. dried oregano, 1 tbsp. dried basil, and add salt/black pepper to taste. Mix well and set the salad aside until ready to plate.
- Set a pan to medium heat. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil. Once hot, add red onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened. Then, add garlic, a pinch of salt, and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl except the oat flour, and begin to combine. Once mixed evenly, slowly add the oat flour to incorporate it evenly. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
- Begin to form patties 1⁄2 inch thick. Place them on a lined baking tray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until outer layer is crispy and inside is soft.
- Serve with Greek salad, and place falafel inside pita or taco shell. Enjoy!
