Falafel

I have never had falafel until I had it in the cream centre restaurant.Cream centre remains our family's favourite and I have almost tried their every item on their menu and that was when I had falafel with pita bread and hummus.yum!!! I could still think how delicious it was !! As a food blogger the next primary concern was to replicate it at home and went through several blogs and got the recipe from here and here.If you make the hummus and the pita bread dough a day ahead then it is very easy to assemble and makes a complete meal.Nothing can beat the taste of fresh falafels prepared at home with pita bread ,hummus and a salad.It serves as a delicious snack and can work wonders with the guests if you are going to host a party.My kiddo loved it just like that and had it like a cutlet.The recipe for pita bread and hummus will be posted shortly.So here goes the falafel recipe !

Serves:4

Preparation time:30 minutes 

Ingredients:

Boiled chickpeas-2 cups

Finely chopped onion-1 no

Chilli powder-1 tsp

Crushed garlic -4 pods

Chopped fresh coriander leaves or parsley -1/4 cup

Cumin powder-1 tsp

Coriander powder-1 tsp

Freshly ground pepper powder-1 tsp

All purpose flour/Maida-3 tbsp

Salt -to taste

Oil-for deep frying 

Procedure:

1.In a bowl add the boiled chickpeas,onion,coriander powder,cumin powder,chilli powder,pepper powder and coriander leaves.

2.Mash the chickpeas well with the powders and make a dough to form patties or falafel.

Add 2 tbsp of all purpose flour to this dough.In a small bowl make a thick paste of 1 tbsp all purpose flour or maida.Make round patties of the falafel dough and dip them in this maida paste and deep fry them in medium flame till they are golden brown .

 3.Hot and crispy falafels are ready to be served with pita bread and hummus.It tastes delicious even with a simple tomato ketchup.

Tips:

*The addition of all purpose flour or maida helps as a binding agent and the

 paste helps in keeping the falafel together while frying in oil.

* Make sure the chickpeas is cooked till soft otherwise it will be tough to mash them .

Tri color Bell Pepper Pasta

I am not a huge fan of pasta but I eat it occasionally .My husband and kid likes it so much that forced me to try this recipe at home. It is very simple but really very easy to make and is ready in 20 minutes.If you don't get the colored peppers you can add sweet corn kernels and diced carrots. I dint have olive oil or cheese at home when I made this. Still the results were superb.The dried herbs are a must for a real pasta flavor.

Preparation time:20 minutes

Serves:2

Ingredients:

Cooked spirali pasta( I got Del Monte brand)-2 cups

Chopped bell peppers(green,red,yellow)-1 cup

Finely chopped garlic-5 nos

Thinly sliced onion(lengthwise)-1 no

Rosemary -1 tsp

Basil-1 tsp

Crushed Pepper- 1 tsp

Tomato juice -made from 1 tomato

Chilli powder- 1 tsp

Garam masala( optional)- 1/2 tsp

Butter or Oil-  2 tbsp

Salt- to taste

Procedure:

1.Cook the spirali pasta as per the instructions on the cover of pasta.

2.In a fry pan , heat oil and add onion and garlic.

3. After the garlic and onion are sautéed, add the bell peppers, salt,pepper,rosemary,basil and chilli powder.

4. After the bells peppers are soft, add tomato juice and mix well.

5.Once the raw smell of tomato goes,add cooked pasta and mix well.If you want a desi flavor then add 1/2 tsp of garam masala now.

6.Garnish with mozzarella cheese and serve hot.