This is a lovely, delciious snack loaded with antioxidants and proteins with all the goodness of beets and garbanzo beans. This vegan falafel with its vibrant color is an amazing VDay food!
Falafel is an amazing snack! This is like our traditional masala vada, the difference being that masala vada is made with split bengal gram. Garbanzo beans are also rich in proteins and this snack is addictive. You can never say no to this! The only point is to plan as this needs soaking. Falafel is always made by soaking the beans and grinding, then deep frying. Using canned, cooked beans may sound great, but the texture will be different, it will be like patties. So, if you want authentic falafel, soak your garbanzos and enjoy amazing snack!
If you are wondering what to serve this falafel with, then the answer is simple. This is a great snack as such. But very delicious when you serve with tzatziki or humms like Beetroot Hummus. If you are serving this for a party, make the batter and refrigerate the day before, however do not keep longer than as the onions will ooze out more liquids and the color of the falafel may not be great. Just before frying add a pinch of baking soda, fry and set it on the table. Sice, a part of this can be made ahead, it is easier to make this one.
Falafel is not only an amazing snack. This can be made into sandwiches and wraps too! Amazing, right? I love to use this for creative ideas. Slice them open, add a few veggies and dip and make a bread free sandwiches! They are fun to serve. Make a delicious salad with leftovers, if any! The salad will be the most comforting and tastiest salad you'd ever want.
Beetroot is an amzing root veggie and is an excellent source of iron, folate, Vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. This amazing veggie loaded with nutrition also adds a magical color to any food that you make with it, just like in this Beetroot Pulao, which has a lovely pink color. By the way, this pulao is a great meal for Valentine's Menu. Roasted beets are used in this recipe. It is easy to roast the beets in oven. But cooked beets can also be used, make sure not to add liquid, because, the falafel batter may become runny. Shaping and frying would be hard.
This falafel, is a variation of the authentic Mediterranean Falafel but with added roasted beetroot. Many variations are often around the regions and with different names around the region. This Sudanese Tamia, a Sudan version of falafel is equally delicious one. The method is different but the add-ins or herbs, spices differ, but delicious either way.
This falafel with beautiful and vibrant color is a perfect snack for Valentine's Day food, if you are looking for a color themed meal. Serve with this Beetroot Hummus or Tzatziki dip. Or make a Pita bread wrap/sandwich with Beetroot Hummus and this Roasted Beet Falafel and that would be an amazing meal! This is my first share for Valentone's Special Food theme for this week's Blogging Marathon. Look for two more amazing VDay special food!
I am also linking this to Share The Wealth, Wonderful Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, and Thursday Favorite Things!
Ingredients
Makes 24
Roasted beet - 1 cup, chopped
Garbanzo beans - 1 cup, dried
Dill leaves - 1/4 cup
Tahini - 2 tbsp
Rice flour - 2 tbsp
Parsley - 2 tbsp
Salt - 1.5 tsp
Cayenne - 1 tsp
Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Garlic - 2 cloves
Water - 2 tbsp
Red onion - 1/2 cup, chopped
Baking soda - 1/8 tsp, optional
Sesame seeds - 1 tbsp, toasted
Oil - 3 to 4 cups
Method
Soak the garbanzo beans for 8 hours, rinse, drain and set aside.
Add all the ingredients except oil and sesame seeds to food processor and process to make a slightly coarse mixture.
Transfer to a bowl, add sesame seeds and mix. At this pont it is okay to refrigerate if making falafels later.
Remove from oil,. Drain the falafels in paper towel. Switch off flame when deep frying is all done.
Serve with hummus ot tzatziki.
Including beets to falafel is a nice idea and I love that color. Between, I too compare falafel and our masal vadai :-)
ReplyDeleteI can almost taste these now!! Thanks for sharing at My Big Fat Menopausal Life's Share the Wealth party. Have a fabulous week!
ReplyDeleteBeets in falafel is a cool idea and totally in love with the color. Tasted reeally good and and picky eaters at home didn't even get the hint of beets except for the color.
ReplyDelete