Bri Beaudoin, the creator of the popular blog Evergreen Kitchen, shared with us her recipe for Falafel Bowls. These falafel bowls are as delicious as they are satisfying. This recipe calls for soaking dried chickpeas overnight, so make sure you plan ahead!
Falafel Bowls
Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves 4 to 5
Ingredients:
Falafel:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked for 18 to 24 hours
- 1 ½ cups lightly packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- ⅔ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 scallions, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 ¼ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Quick pickled red cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
For serving
- Tzatziki
- Vegan Tzatziki, or store-bought
- Chopped English cucumber
- Pitas, warmed
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven: Place an oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Start the Falafel—mix: Drain the soaked chickpeas and transfer them to a food processor. Add the parsley, onion, garlic, scallions, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Pulse, scraping down the sides as needed until the chickpeas form finely ground crumbs but are not yet completely puréed.
3. Form and bake the falafel: Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of the chickpea mixture (about the size of a ping-pong ball) and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. (You should have about 20 balls.) Using your fingertips, gently flatten the balls into thick patties. Generously brush both sides of the patties with the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. (It might seem like a lot of oil, but it ensures the falafel gets golden brown and doesn’t dry out.) Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and bake until golden brown on the other side, another 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, make the Quick Pickled Red Cabbage: In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the cabbage and salt. Using your hands, rub the salt into the cabbage. 3 Add the sugar, pepper, boiling water, and white wine vinegar. Stir well to combine. Cover the bowl and let sit for at least 20 minutes to soften.
5. Assemble and serve: Arrange the falafel, tzatziki, cucumber, and pickled red cabbage 4 in shallow bowls. Serve with pitas on the side.
