Mediterranean Faux Lafel With Cucumber Dill Sauce Recipes

TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Use a box grater to manually grate the cucumbers or you can use a small food processor to finely chop the cucumbers as I do in this recipe. Toss the grated cucumbers with 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Spoon the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or a double thickness napkin and squeeze dry. (There will be a lot of liquid).
• In one large mixing bowl, place the garlic with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
• Add the grated cucumber to the bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt, and a pinch of white or black pepper, and the fresh herbs (if using. I did not use fresh herbs in the video). Stir to combine well.
• Cover and refrigerate for a bit (anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours before serving). This will help thicken the sauce and give it the best texture, while allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, stir the tzatziki sauce to refresh and transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Serve with your favorite veggies, pita chips or wedges (be sure to read the post for more ideas on how to use this sauce)!

SEAN'S FALAFEL AND CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
• In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. Serve two falafels in each pita half topped with chopped tomatoes and cucumber sauce.

EASY BAKED FALAFEL WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray and 1 tablespoon olive oil and place inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). C
• Combine chickpeas, onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and baking powder in a food processor. Pulse until minced but not yet pasty. Transfer to a bowl and stir in flour and egg until fully incorporated.
• Remove baking pan from the oven. Drop golfball-sized portions of chickpea mixture onto the hot pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes. Brush falafel with remaining olive oil and flip over. Continue baking until golden on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Serve falafel with yogurt sauce.

MEDITERRANEAN FAUX LAFEL WITH CUCUMBER DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare quinoa according to package directions. We used 'Bob's Red Mill, Organic Whole Grain Quinoa.
• While quinoa is cooking, prepare sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, cucumbers, dill, lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• When quinoa is cooled, in a mixing bowl, combine quinoa, spinach, feta, pepper (all except 1T), parsley, onion, lemon juice and zest and panko. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Make a small well in the middle of the mixture and crack one egg. Wet your hands and mix the first egg into quinoa mixture. Repeat with a second egg. The mixture should be slightly tacky and able to be formed into a ball. Using a ¾ oz ice cream scoop, scoop mixture into hands to shape into a ball. (Note: Do not roll like meatballs- gently pack using your palm as a "cup"). Place on sheet pan that has been sprayed with coconut oil. When all balls have been formed, spray the tops with coconut oil.
• Bake for 18-20 minute The outside should be crispy with a little give when you touch it. Remove from the oven and let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
• Remove sauce from refrigerator and mix with a spoon.
• To serve: plate three faux-lafel and top with a small dollop of sauce. In between each faux-lafel place a spinach leaf (facing the opposite way), finish with a few small fronds of dill for garnish and red pepper for the plate.