Falafel

Total Time: 1 hr 8 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 23 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried garbanzo beans, sorted and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin seed
• 1 teaspoon whole coriander seed
• 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 4 small scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 2 quarts peanut oil
• pita bread, warmed, for serving

Recipe

• 1 place the chickpeas in a medium bowl and cover with 2 inches of cold water.
• 2 soak overnight.
• 3 place the cumin and coriander seeds in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet and set over medium high heat.
• 4 cook, shaking the pan frequently, until the seeds give off an aroma and just begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• 5 transfer the toasted spices to a spice grinder and process until finely ground.
• 6 set aside.
• 7 drain the chickpeas.
• 8 combine the soaked chickpeas, ground cumin and coriander, garlic and scallions, salt, black pepper, baking powder, cayenne pepper, and parsley leaves in a medium mixing bowl.
• 9 pass this mixture through a meat grinder or stand mixer with the grinder attachment fitted with the smallest die.
• 10 alternatively, you can divide the mixture in half and process one half at a time in a food processor, pulsing 10 to 20 times.
• 11 scoop the mixture into 1 1/2 to 2-ounce portions using a 2-inch diameter disher.
• 12 place on a half sheet pan lined with parchment.
• 13 can be held hold at room temperature for up to 2 hours before frying, or covered in the refrigerator overnight.
• 14 heat the peanut oil in a 5-quart dutch oven over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees f.
• 15 adjust the heat to maintain temperature.
• 16 gently place the falafel, 1 at a time, into the hot oil.
• 17 fry 4 at a time until deep golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
• 18 remove to a half sheet pan lined with a cooling rack and topped with a paper towel to drain.
• 19 repeat until all falafel have been cooked.
• 20 serve on warm pita.