Recipes: Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

January 13, 2019

EatingWell Test Kitchen
“Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe—canned chickpeas add too much moisture.”

Ingredients

    • 1 cup dried chickpeas
    • 2 cups packed flat-leaf parsley, divided
    • ¼ cup chopped red onion plus ¼ cup thinly sliced, divided
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
    • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
    • 5 tablespoons tahini
    • 5 tablespoons warm water
    • 6 cups sliced romaine lettuce
    • 2 cups sliced cucumbers and/or radishes
    • 1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered

Directions

  • Soak chickpeas in cold water for 12 to 24 hours.
  • Drain the chickpeas and transfer to a food processor. Add 1 cup parsley, chopped onion, garlic, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cumin and ½ teaspoon salt; process until finely and evenly ground. Shape into 12 patties (1½ inches wide), using a generous 2 tablespoons each.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Cook the falafel until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn, swirl in 1 tablespoon oil and cook until golden on the other side, 3 to 5 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, whisk tahini, water and the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Transfer ¼ cup to a small bowl. Add romaine and the remaining 1 cup parsley to the large bowl and toss to coat. Top with cucumbers and/or radishes, tomatoes, the sliced onion and the falafel. Drizzle with the reserved ¼ cup dressing.
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