Falafel

Falafel:
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh or 1/4 cup dried parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 15-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
1 egg
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried or 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Dash cayene pepper (I used 1/8 teaspoon and it was just the right heat!)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs (this was the minimum amount needed to hold patties together)
Oil for frying or nonstick vegetable spray

In food processor place onion, parsley, and garlic. Pulse until finely minced. Add drained chickpeas and pulse just until they are mashed, but not pureed. (You could also pressed the garlic and grate the onion, and mash the chickpeas with a fork, if you don't have a food processor.) Transfer to a bowl and mix in the egg, cumin, cilantro, salt, pepper, oregano, cayene, lemon juice, baking powder, and olive oil. Stir in the bread crumbs. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the crumbs to soak up the liquids and the patties will hold together better.

Heat a small amount of oil in a nonstick frying pan, or spray with nonstick spray. Heat pan over medium-low. Form patties from 1/4 cup of falafel mixture. These are very soft so keep them more rounded, as they will flatten slightly when turned. Fry patties until golden brown on each side. Serve with Tzatziki sauce. Makes about 8 patties.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SHANNONPIXIE.