Middle Eastern Falafel Bowl

A vibrant and nutritious Mediterranean-inspired bowl featuring crispy, golden-brown homemade falafel served over a bed of fluffy quinoa with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini sauce. This satisfying vegetarian meal is packed with fiber and protein, perfect for a refreshing lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

2 cups

dry chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained

1 cup

fresh parsley, chopped

3 cloves

garlic, peeled

1 medium

yellow onion, chopped

1 tablespoon

ground cumin

1 teaspoon

baking powder

3 cups

vegetable oil for frying

1 cup

quinoa, rinsed

2 cups

water

1 large

cucumber, diced

1 cup

cherry tomatoes, halved

0.25 cup

tahini paste

2 tablespoons

lemon juice

Steps

1. 1

   Place 2 cups dry chickpeas, 1 cup fresh parsley, 3 cloves garlic, 1 medium yellow onion, and 1 tablespoon ground cumin in a food processor and pulse until the texture is a coarse paste, about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add 1 teaspoon baking powder, and stir well with a large spoon to combine.

3. 3

   Form the mixture into 12 small balls using your hands and place them on a clean cutting board.

4. 4

   Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a 10-inch deep skillet until it reaches 350°F (175°C), checking with a kitchen thermometer.

5. 5

   Fry the 12 falafel balls in the 10-inch deep skillet until the outsides turn dark golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.

6. 6

   Combine 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

7. 7

   Reduce the heat to low, cover the medium saucepan with a lid, and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy, about 15 minutes.

8. 8

   Whisk 0.25 cup tahini paste and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

9. 9

   Assemble each serving by adding 0.25 of the cooked quinoa to a bowl, top with 3 falafel balls, 0.25 of the 1 large cucumber, and 0.25 of the 1 cup cherry tomatoes.

10. 10

    Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the prepared tahini sauce over the top of each bowl.

Per serving: 480 calories · 16 g protein · 58 g carbs · 22 g fat

Recipes and nutrition are AI-generated; check ingredients for allergies before cooking.