I haven’t been tempted to try falafel before but I’m going to try a few more meat-free meals, I am so glad I did! It’s a very filling lunch and so delicious too! I trawled through the Internet to find a falafel recipe and then combined a few of them although I am aware that this recipe could probably be out there somewhere:-) It’s ideal for days like today!
This salad would be free on No Count, and free on WW Freestyle too if you use a calorie-controlled spray instead of olive oil.
Ingredients for the falafel (makes 10 which can serve 2):
- 4 tsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- a 400g tin of chickpeas
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- the zest of a lemon
- an egg, beaten
Method:
- Heat the oil and fry the onion for a couple minutes, until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook for another two minutes.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas and put in a bowl. Use a fork to break them down into smaller pieces (or you can blitz them in a food processor if you’d prefer a smoother falafel).
- Add the onion and garlic and mix it all together.
- Add the cumin, herbs and zest and mix in. Season to taste and then mix in the egg.
- Divide the mixture to make 10 balls and then place on a non-stick, or greaseproof papered, baking tray. Leave in the fridge for half an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 180C.
- Remove from the fridge, spray with Frylight and bake in the oven for about 20 – 25 minutes. Turn a couple of times to ensure they are cooked all the way through.
I roasted butternut squash and cherry tomatoes at the same time as cooking the falafel, with a bit of paprika sprinkled on the butternut squash.
Served with a mixed salad and a tbsp of Aldi lighter than light mayonnaise.
Enjoy!
(These can be frozen. Just take them out when you are ready and let them defrost before warming them up in the microwave.)
They look lovely, I’ll definetly give these a go, I love falafel, always looking for meat free lunch ideas. Thank you
Hi and thank you Lynn, I’m glad you like the look of this meal idea.I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to try it:-)Hope you have a lovely afternoon, Helen xxxx
Will definitely give these a go, perfect for lunch but am also always on the lookout for ideas to take into work. I need to be able to eat on the go and these will be perfect to nibble on.
Hi Julie, thank you for your comment – they’ll definitely be great to take into work and nibble on the go:-)Hope you have a lovely afternoon, Helen xxxxx
That looks lovely In going to have a go at them. Thank you
Hi and thank you Deborah, hope you enjoy them.I was really surprised at how they were such a great alternative to meat.Enjoy the rest of your day:-)Helen xxxxx
I have made these but mixture to sloppy to form balls any ideas how to form it up. I have waste
Hi Deborah, thanks for your message. I’m not sure how the mixture can be sloppy though as the only ‘liquidy’ ingredient is the egg. The mixture was very firm when I made them.Did you drain the chickpeas? Helen xxxxxxx
Tried these at the weekend and quite liked them. Had the rest cold at work for lunch today and my goodness they are gorgeous cold! Found then really tasty but also really filling, just right to keep me going on a 12 hour shift –thank you x
Hi Julie