Falafel

Chickpeas:
1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
2 cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
1 carrot, peeled
1 rib celery
1/2 onion
Kosher salt

Falafel:
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
2 to 3 grates lemon zest
1/2 Spanish onion, small diced
Flour, for dusting
Kosher salt

Garnish:
Pita bread
Chopped lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Peeled, grated cucumbers
yogurt Sauce, recipe follows
Directions

Peanut or other neutrally flavored oil, for frying

To cook the chickpeas: Drain the chickpeas from the soaking water and place in a medium saucepan. Toss in the garlic, bay leaf, carrot, celery, and onion. Add water to the pan until it covers the chickpeas by about 2 inches of water.

Put the pan on a high heat and bring the water to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer until the chickpeas are very soft and tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Turn the heat off.

Season the water generously with salt and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain the chickpeas from the cooking liquid and remove the veggies, and bay leaf and discard.

To make the falafel: In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until they look coarse and grainy but are NOT a puree.

Transfer the pulsed chickpeas to a mixing bowl and add the cilantro, parsley, breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest, onions and spices. Gently stir to combine. Taste the mixture to see if the mix needs seasoning, season with salt if needed.

Form the mixture into balls the size of walnuts and gently press to make patties. Lightly dust with flour on both sides and pat off excess. Place the patties on a sheet tray and let hang out in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or over night.

Add oil to a large straight-sided saute pan until the oil is about 1/2-inch deep. Bring the oil to a medium-high heat. Add the falafel to the pan and fry them on both sides until they are brown and crispy.

Remove the falafel from the pan and dry on paper towels.

Serve the falafel in pitas with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and yogurt Sauce.

Yogurt Dipping Sauce:

1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt to taste