Waffled Falafel

Waffled Falafel
(serves 4)

While in search of something entirely unrelated, I stumbled upon this fun link at the Food Network website:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/12-recipes-you-didnt-know-you-could-make-in-a-waffle-iron.html  You should check it out.  The article has some fun and unique uses for your waffle maker including Falafel. In addition to the awesome name, the recipe for Waffled Falafel coaxed some awesome flavors with only a few modifications. Here’s what we did:

Ingredients:

·         1/3 cup vegetable oil

·         2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro + additional for serving

·         2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (can omit and add additional cilantro, if you don’t have any on hand)

·         2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

·         1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

·         1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

·         1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper

·         1/2 teaspoon red curry powder

·         1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

·         2 large egg whites

·         4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

·         One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

·         4 pita breads, halved

Toppings

·         hummus

·         Leafy greens, chopped (any combo of lettuce, spinach, raddicio, arugula, etc. will do)

·         cherry tomatoes, quartered

·         cucumbers, sliced

·         pickled veggies of any variety

·          hard-boiled eggs

·         Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

·         Siracha (or other type of hot sauce)

·         additional freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1.    Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (to keep cooked waffles warm, if serving multiple batches).

2.    Combine the oil, cilantro, flour, parsley, baking powder, cumin, salt, coriander, cayenne, curry, pepper, egg whites, garlic and chickpeas in a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.

3.    Lightly brush the top and bottom of the waffle iron with oil or non-stick cooking spray. Fill the waffle iron about three-quarters of the way full (some waffle iron should still be showing). Close the lid gently and cook until the falafel is golden brown and firm in the center, 6 to 10 minutes. Keep the cooked falafels warm in the oven or covered with foil on a plate while you make the remaining falafels.

4.    To build the sandwiches, halve pitas and spread on a layer of hummus. Top with your choice of remaining toppings.

(Leftovers can be stored in Ziploc bags for up to 1 month in the freezer. Reheat in a toaster oven or 300 degree oven until warmed through and crisp.)