Baked Felafel Sandwiches

Ingredients

Felafel:

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Tahini Sauce:

• 1/2 cup pure tahini paste (sesame paste) (available at Middle Eastern stores)
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 to 4 tablespoons water, plus more if necessary

Salad:

• 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 (4-ounce) tomatoes, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 medium cucumber, seeded, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
• 4 whole-wheat pita pocket breads, sliced open

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine all felafel ingredients except 1 tablespoon olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Process for 10 seconds. Stop motor and scrape down sides of bowl, then pulse for another 10 seconds, until all ingredients are well incorporated but mixture is still slightly coarse and grainy. Form mixture into 16 felafel balls and brush with remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake on a cookie sheet for 20 minutes, flip felafel balls and bake an additional 20 minutes, until felafel balls are crisp and browned.

Combine tahini, lemon juice and water and stir to incorporate, adding more water to achieve desired consistency. Reserve.

Toss together lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers in a bowl. Warm pita breads for 2 minutes in oven. Fill each pita with 3/4 cup salad, 4 felafel balls and 1/4 cup tahini sauce.

Per Serving: 1 serving = 1 pita bread, 3/4 salad, 4 felafel balls and 1/4 cup tahini sauce

Calories 550; Total Fat 26 g; (Sat Fat 3.5 g, Mono Fat 11 g, Poly Fat 9 g) ; Protein 19 g; Carb 68 g; Fiber 13 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 705 mg

Excellent source of: Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin C, Folate, Vitamin K, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc

Good source of: Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Calcium