Falafel: what is it and how to cook

Falafel (Falafel) - an Arabic dish made from plant products. The main ingredient is chickpeas (lamb peas). In appearance, the dish resembles ordinary small cutlets (meatballs).

The popularity of dishes in the East is due to the fact that falafel refers to vegetarian dishes. Which allows you to take it to the post. In Israel, Falafel is considered a traditional dish. However, it is doubtful that in the countries of the Middle East (Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon), falafel is considered quite an ancient dish that is hundreds of years old. Perhaps people of past centuries used other ingredients to prepare the dish.

 

 

It is noteworthy that the Israelis ascribe to themselves the appearance of the first falafeln. Assuring the whole world that the event took place in the city of Netanya, at the beginning of the 30 of the 20 century. But from the course of history, Israel is an artificially created state in Palestine in the 1948 year.

Falafel: Global Adaptation

Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber and minerals. You can long list the trace elements contained in the product. But we must not forget that any protein food of plant origin can also harm the body. If you use falafel daily, without introducing other foods into the diet, then bloating cannot be avoided. Flatulence, stool - unpleasant consequences, so in food you need to know the measure.

 

 

In Europe, culinary specialists got used to changing mutton peas for other products of plant origin. Bulgur, ordinary peas and even beans are used. This is not to say that Falafel is getting better or worse due to substitution. It just tastes different. If you leave all the ingredients that make up the dish, the buyer is unlikely to notice a difference with the original product.

Vegetarian cooking

Chickpeas, carrots, herbs and spices are a simple recipe to make Falafel. We must not forget that lamb peas in dry form are very hard and require preliminary soaking in water. Literally 6-8 hours is enough for chickpeas to collect moisture and become suitable for cooking. After which, the peas are chopped in a blender. The carrots are finely grated, and the greens are simply chopped with a knife. All ingredients are mixed into minced meat, and spices are added to taste.

 

 

Having formed small balls, falafel is laid out on a frying pan pre-filled with vegetable oil. The dish is fried and served hot to the table. AT Egypt, Falafel is served in piita - unleavened round loaf.