Lebanese - Falafel with Hummus & Tahini

Since long this lebanese falafel was on  my to do list , but the use of lot of oil in both hummus and tahini made me hesitant to make this dish. But then this month  Rachana of secondhelpinginservice  made this dish for the  potluck-party  where  I too am a member  and  I got paired with her for this month .

So as per our party rule it was my turn to recreate this dish. I was actually happy that finally I got an excuse to make the dish which I so much wanted to make. But I also thought to go the healthy way. Rachana in her post had already given the option to either fry the falafels or make them in the paniyaram maker which I did. 

Then I took some more liberty for making hummus and tahini. As both these spreads are oil rich , I made them with water and added very little olive oil . So here is my healthy falafel  without any compromis in taste .

It tasted just as delicious as it was in a popular Lebanese Joint at Andheri ( Mumbai ) where I had had it previously. So off to my  falafel recipe with hummus and tahini. And once again a big thanks to Rachana .

Ingredients : 

For the Falafel :

2 cup....................chickpeas ( soak overnight and boil for 4 to 5 whistles )
3.........................green chillies ( crushed )
5 to 6 ................garlic cloves ( crushed )
1 tsp..................roasted cumin seeds ( crushed )
1 ......................onion ( finely chopped )
fistful.................coriander leaves ( chopped)
2 to 3 tbsp............maida
2 tbsp.................tahini sauce ( see the recipe down )
salt



Method :

Drain out the water from boiled chickpeas and reserve for making hummus.

Keep 1/2 cup chickpeas aside to make hummus .

Mash the remaining chick peas with a masher till soft without adding water.





Add all the other ingredients and make the falafel balls.






Cook them on slow flame in Erappe ( paniyaram ) maker.





This way you get to eat healthy and tasty oil free falafel.

You may deep fry the falafel balls in oil if you wish.



For the Hummus :

1/2 cup....................boiled chickpeas
3 tbsp  .................olive oil
2 to 3 ...................black olives
1/2 tsp..................roasted cumin seeds
3 to 4 .................garlic cloves.





Method :

Grind everything to a smooth paste.

Add the above reserved water if the hummus is too thick.


For the Tahini :

3 to 4 tbsp..............sesame seeds
1/2 cup .................water
2 tbsp ..................olive oil
5 to 6 ...................garlic cloves
5 to 6 .................pepper corns ( optional )





Method :

Grind everything to a smooth paste and add water if necessary .



Assembling the Meal :

2 ..................onions ( finely chopped )
2 ................tomatoes ( finely chopped )
1 dozen ......laadi paav ( use pita bread if available )
4 to 5 tbsp....garlic chutney (recipe here)





Method :

Apply hummus, tahini and garlic chutney to the paav.

Spread some chopped onions and tomatoes .

Keep two to three falafels and press the paav.

Enjoy this healthy , filling lebanese meal at the leisure of your home.

Linking this entry to  Jagruti's Potluck Party