These falafels are baked or dehydrated, making them a nice healthy alternative to deep-fried falafels. Made with almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, cumin, lemon and loads of fresh herbs, these flavorful falafels are immensely satisfying.
Steps
1
Preparing Your Mise en Place
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raw walnuts
3/4 cup sesame seeds
2 cloves garlic
3 dates, pitted
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley
2 tbsp fresh oregano
2 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/4 tsp sea salt
To prepare your mise en place, start by soaking the almonds and walnuts. Soak in water for a few hours or overnight.
Once you are ready to make the falafels, finely grind the sesame seeds in a spice grinder or food processor. Next, mince the garlic and finely chop the cilantro, parsley and oregano. Lastly, gather the lemon juice, oil, cumin, and salt. Set everything aside.
2
Preparing the Falafels
To make the falafels, drain the almonds and walnuts and place into a food processor along with the dates. Or if using a juicer with a solid plate is also a great equipment option for a smooth and thick pate. Purée the mixture until it becomes as fine as possible.
Place into a mixing bowl and add your mise en place from above. Using your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients together.
To form the falafels, place a small scoop into your hand and form into a ball. Press your thumb into the center to form an indent.
For raw falafels, dehydrate them for 3 to 4 hours at 115°F (46°C) or until crisp. For cooked falafels, place into a 250°F (120°C) and cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden.
3
Making the Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
3/4 cup tahini, raw or roasted
1 1/4 cup water
3 cloves garlic
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp toasted sesame seed oil
2 1/2 tbsp tamari (2 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
To make the dressing, place everything into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
*Note: This recipe will make more than you need for this dish. Any leftovers will keep for about a week in the refrigerator. This dressing is great on salads, greens, grains or even on potatoes or grilled tofu.
4
Serving the Falafels
Ingredients
7 or 8 butter lettuce leaves
To serve the falafels, place a few into a lettuce leaf with some of the tahini dressing.
These also go well with Tabouli Salad (see Rouxbe for recipe) and slices of avocado.
2 Comments
Natasha W•
This is the best falafel recipe I've ever made...and I've tried many!!!
Hi Natasha: thanks for the compliment. This recipe is exceptional, as the falafel recipe plus the tahini dressing are total winners! Nice to know that you think "this is the best," and that means the world to us! Cheers, Char
Char N • Rouxbe Staff •Hi Natasha: thanks for the compliment. This recipe is exceptional, as the falafel recipe plus the tahini dressing are total winners! Nice to know that you think "this is the best," and that means the world to us! Cheers, Char