Falafel فلافل

Falafel is so good but you are probably thinking why would i make my own falafel when there are plenty of places that sell it, well my response would be because most of those places don't know how to make it and if they do they charge like 10 dollars for a sandwich which costs like 50 cents in Syria and it just feels wrong. Plus making falafel is extremely easy and you can freeze it and use it whenever. I got this recipe from Najats Kitchen on youtube. Najat is like one of my role models in the kitchen, she knows how to make everything it seems and she is so neat and clear and does things the original way bi osouloun. I cant stand more that anything when someone says that something is something when it isn't, like just becuase something has fava beans and chickpeas doesn't mean its falafel. Anyways I'm going to stop ranting and give you guys my recipe which i changed just a little.

First start off by soaking small yellow split fava beans (or any yellow fava bean) and chickpeas in water and a little baking soda.

This is what they look lie once they soaked for at least 5 hours (my opinion is to soak at least 5 hours or overnight s the best) make sure to drain them and rinse them from the baking soda and dry them well before you continue making falafel.

In a food processor add the beans (my food processor is small so i do it in batches) I need to also put in the food processor some fresh cilantro, parsley, onion and garlic.

The onion garlic and cilantro and parsley is the green mix here, it gives the falafel flavor and moistness so don't do without it. Oussama doesn't like "green" falafel because its not the "Syrian" way so i cut back from Najats recipe. I add a falafel spice mix but if you cant find it then use allspice, coriander and some cayenne and salt and pepper.

I add a little more cayenne because I'm not sure my spice mix has any, you don't want the falafel spicy, just enough so it has flavor.

I added some fresh breadcrumbs (Najat uses dry but i think fresh keeps it moist more on the inside and plus i had some left over from the bread i made)

Next mold the falafel and dip it in sesame seeds OR when it is done frying dip it in sumac (mmm my favorite)

Serve with lefit pickles (pickled turnips) tomatoes, cucumbers and tahini yogurt ( a mix or watered down yogurt with tahini some lemon juice (optional) and salt

Here is the Link to Najats video.

Najats written recipe:

1 cup dried chickpeas

1/4 cup small split fava

1 cup cilantro

1/4 cup parsley

3 tablespoons breadcrumbs

1 onion

5 garlic cloves

1/2 jalapeno pepper

Allspice

Coriander powder

Cayenne (shata which is red pepper flakes but the powder version)

salt and pepper