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Falafel Sandwiches with Sesame Mint Yogurt Sauce
Recipe courtesy Dave Lieberman
Show:  Good Deal with Dave Lieberman
Episode:  Easy on the Pocket Picnic
Falafel Sandwiches with Sesame Mint Yogurt Sauce
2 (15-ounce) cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
3 to 4 tablespoons, plus 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten with a fork
Salt and pepper
3 quarts vegetable oil, for frying
3 good quality pita breads, cut in 1/2
Sesame Mint Yogurt Sauce, recipe follows

Fixings:
1 English cucumber, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 small head iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped into bite-sized pieces

In a food processor, combine the garbanzo beans, 3 to 4 tablespoons flour, herbs, garlic, cumin, cayenne, egg, and salt and pepper; pulse together until almost smooth. Transfer mixture to bowl. The mixture should be firm enough to form balls; if not, add additional flour as needed. Shape mixture into balls about 2 inches in diameter. Toss in remaining 1/2 cup flour to coat all over. Set aside until oil is hot enough to fry.
Heat oil over medium-high heat until about 375 degrees F. Test with some extra falafel mix to see if the temperature is right; it should sink and rise to the surface and float. Add falafel balls in batches so as not to crowd them and cook until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Carefully remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Fill pita halves with a few falafel balls, cucumber, lettuce, onions and peppers, and top with yogurt sauce.

Sesame Mint Yogurt Sauce:

2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably Greek-style
1 bunch mint leaves, finely chopped
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Other Recipes from this Episode
Baby Tomato and Fresh Herb Tabbouleh
Honey Almond Date Balls

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Intermediate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

User Rating 4 Stars
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