Falafel and Hummus

We used to live in Dubai before we moved to South Africa. Dubai--the land of shawarmas, khuboos, kabaabs, Al Faham, hummus, mandhi, kabsa and my abssssolute favorite, sulaimani (black tea with spices, and lemon) ! ❤️ ❤️

I think my best memories of our Dubai days are the walks along the creek-side and on the beach with  my brand-new husband (😍) and there would be sulaimani vendors on bicycles. During winter, the feel of those walks and the bliss of the Sulaimani - ahhh! ❤️ ❤️ 

Not sure how I got writing about sulaimani, but today's post is on falafel and hummus. 😊

Different countries have different ways of making these, just like most popular foods. My version is a close approximation to the Israeli version I beleive but I do add chaat masala coz it's the magic spice! 

So chickpeas is the basic ingredient. If using dry chickpeas, soak them overnight in water and pressure cook till fully cooked. If using canned, strain and rinse the chickpeas (reserve some of the liquid) Then, olive oil, tahini, garlic, corriander leaves/parsley and lemon and you are good to go. Do try is guys, it's quite 

wonderful!

                        HUMMUS

   Chickpeas - 1.5 cups 

Tahini paste - 2 tbsp (or 3 if you love it) 

      Garlic.     - 1 fat clove

Lemon juice - 3 tbsp (or to taste) 

Olive oil          - 2 tbsp

White pepper -1/2 tsp

Kashmiri chilli pow- 1tsp (optional, not authentic) 

       Salt to taste

1/4 cup liquid from canned chickepeas/ stock from cooking chickpeas. 

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In a food processor/ blender, pulse together, the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, kashmiri chilli powder and pepper powder. 

Add the reserve liquid and olive oil and blend to a smooth and light consistency. 

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Then spoon some hummus on a shallow bowl and make a swirl on top, drizzle some more olive oil and top with some paprika (or kashmiri chilli powder)

Do not NOT make hummus just because you don't have Tahini. It is an important ingredient, but it's not the end of the world if you don't add it. Make it with all the other ingredients and it will be lovely enough. 😊

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It can be served with pita or just generally with anything you like which is how food should be - the most important point being that it should make you happy. 😊 My daughter loves it on toast or as a sandwich filling. 

                        FALAFEL

Amazing, flavorful falafel. So amazing, it makes you forget it is vegetarian. 😊 

Similar ingredients as hummus, but a totally different person. This is an adaptation of Veena Azmanov's recipe. 

  Ingredients :

Chickpeas dried - 200gms (soaked overnight) 

            Onions.    - 1/2 cup, chopped. 

            Garlic.      - 1 clove 

        Parsley        - a handful (optional) 

Corriander leaves-1 cup, chopped 

 Kashmiri chilli powder/

              Paprika     - 1 tsp

Chaat masala.      - 1 tsp

Cumin powder     - 1/2 tsp

Lemon juice         - 2tbsp

Baking powder.   - 1/4 tsp

Sesame seeds    - 1tbsp

Breadcrumbs/flour--1 tbsp

     Salt 

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Pulse the chickpeas, onions, garlic and herbs in a food processor to make a coarse mixture. 

Dump it into a bowl. Add in the spices, sesame seeds and breadcrumbs/flour. 

Lastly, add in the lemon juice and salt. Mix thoroughly. 

Make balls about the size of a walnut and place on a tray. 

Deep fry in deep oil on medium heat so that the insides get cooked as well. 

Alternatively, flatten the falafels a bit and bake at 180 degrees for about 20- 25 minutes.

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They can be served with hummus or as filling inside a sandwich or filled into a pita pocket. 

Do give these a try, guys and let me know how it goes 😊 😊