Black Bean Falafel or Dip and Cucumber Sauce |
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Prep Time: 50 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes |
Ready In: 80 Minutes Servings: 24 |
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This recipe was developed one night in haste from a more traditional, chickpea-based recipe in an effort to recreate an appetizer from an Ethiopian restaurant. Its dual use as a bean dip was discovered quite accidentally but to very delicious results. These falafel are excellent when served in pita bread with the sauce as well as with some tomato and hummus. Ingredients:
3 (15 ounce) cans black beans |
3/4 large onion |
6 -8 green onions |
4 -5 cloves garlic |
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro |
1 egg |
5 teaspoons ground coriander |
5 teaspoons ground cumin |
2 teaspoons ground black pepper |
1 teaspoon baking powder |
salt, to taste |
red pepper flakes, to taste |
1/3 cup flour |
vegetable oil |
16 ounces plain yogurt |
1 cucumber |
3/8 teaspoon dried dill |
1/4 large onion |
1 clove garlic |
black pepper, to taste |
Directions:
1. Drain the black beans.
2. If you have a food processor, pulverize them until a paste; if not, mash them with a fork, your hand, or potato masher.
3. Chop onion, green onion, garlic, and cilantro; add to the beans and again process until paste like if you have the equipment, or just mix in thoroughly (your hands work quite well for this).
4. Add coriander, cumin, black pepper, baking powder, salt, and red pepper flakes and mix well.
5. At this point, the mixture is a yummy bean dip; you may choose to reserve all or part of it (about a third) solely for this purpose.
6. To continue with the falafel, if the mixture is noticeabley runny add enough flour to make it hold together (no more than 1/3 cup).
7. Lightly beat the egg, add it to the bean mixture, and mix well.
8. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
9. While the falafel mixture refrigerates, chop the remaining 1/4 onion, garlic clove, and cucumber into small bits; add these to the yogurt with the dill and black pepper and mix thoroughly; refrigerate in a covered container until needed.
10. Coat a large (nonstick) frying pan with enough oil to keep the falafel from sticking (you will need to replenish this periodically between batches).
11. Spoon the falafel mixture into the pan and flatten to make patty-shaped (3 -4 in diameter and 1/2 -3/4 thick).
12. Cook over medium-high heat on each side for 5-10 minutes, or until brown and crispy.
13. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool; serve warm.
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