Falafel

Recipe from FoodNetwork.com courtesy of Melissa d’Arabian

Ingredients
  • 2 1/4 cups cooked chickpeas
  • 3 scallions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Generous 1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • Generous 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
  • 1 egg
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/3 cup flour, plus 1/4 cup flour for shaping patties
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Lettuce, for garnish
  • Chopped salted tomatoes, for garnish
  • Grated cucumber, for garnish
  • White Bean Yogurt Sauce, recipe follows
  • Creamy White Bean Yogurt Sauce
  • 3/4 cup cooked white beans
  • 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions

In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, scallions, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, parsley, cilantro, egg, and lemon juice. Pulse to combine and season with salt. The mixture will not be smooth, but it should not have large chunks.

Add in the baking powder and 1/3 cup of the flour and pulse to just combine. Remove to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Remove the chickpea mixture from the refrigerator. Add enough oil to a large saute pan so it reaches 1/2-inch up the sides and heat it over medium-high heat until an inserted thermometer reads 360 degrees F.

Meanwhile, drop spoonfuls of the chickpea mixture onto a plate with 1/4 cup flour. Roll into balls on the floured plate and press gently into patties. Fry in batches of hot oil for about 3 to 4 minutes each side and drain on paper towels.

Serve the falafel on a bed of lettuce with chopped salted tomatoes, grated cucumber and White Bean Yogurt Sauce.

Puree the white beans, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil in a mini food processor until very smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with falafel or as a salad dressing.


Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)

From Closet Cooking

Servings: makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups corn (about 4 ears), cut from the cob
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 glove garlic, grated
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, juice
  • 2 tablespoons cotija (or feta), crumbled
  • chili powder to taste
Directions
  1. Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the corn, toss and let it sit cooking until charred, mix it up and let it char again, about 6-10 minutes.
  3. Add the jalapeno, saute for a minute and remove from heat.
  4. Mix everything and serve warm or at room temperature.

Blue Cheese Cole Slaw

Recipe from Closet Cooking
(makes 4 side servings or 8 sandwich filling servings)

Ingredients:
2 cups cabbage (shredded)
1 carrot (shredded)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons grainy mustard
1 lemon (juice)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
1 handful parsley (chopped)

Directions:
1. Mix the cabbage and carrot in a large bowl.
2. Mix the mayo, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.
3. Mix everything together.
4. Cover and let mellow in the fridge for a few hours.