Hey everyone! If you’re a fan of falafel, then listen up because I’m about to share an exciting secret: You don’t need a food processor to make delicious falafel at home. That’s right – all you need are some simple kitchen tools and the right ingredients. In this article, I’ll show you how easy it is to make your own falafel without having to invest in any extra equipment. So grab a bowl and let’s get started!
Gather The Ingredients
I’m here to tell you that falafel can absolutely be made without a food processor. You just need the right ingredients, and of course some patience! I’d recommend choosing organic, non-GMO chickpeas as your base ingredient. If you don’t have those on hand, consider substituting them with white beans or fava beans. Additionally, you’ll want to choose fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro for added flavor. Another great option is adding diced onion and garlic for an even more intense flavor profile. The trickiest part about making falafel without a food processor is getting the texture right – it should hold together in small patties when cooked but still be soft enough inside so they don’t taste dry. To achieve this texture, simply use a potato masher or large fork to mash up the mixture until combined well before forming into balls or patties. With all these tips in mind, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to make delicious homemade falafel without a food processor!
Soak The Chickpeas
I’m sure you’ve heard that the best way to make falafel is with a food processor, but I’m here to tell you it can be done without one! All you need is some good ol’ elbow grease and an extra bit of patience.
The first step in making falafel without a food processor is choosing chickpeas. Make sure they are dry and not canned – this will ensure your falafel comes out crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Once you have chosen your chickpeas, it’s time for soaking them for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours. This helps soften them so they’ll blend easier when mashing them later. After the soaking period, drain off any excess water before proceeding with the recipe.
Now that your chickpeas are ready, all there’s left to do is mash them until they form a thick paste like consistency – don’t worry if it takes awhile since you’re doing this by hand – then add in your favourite herbs and spices such as cumin, garlic powder, parsley and salt. Mix everything together thoroughly then shape into balls or patties before frying in hot oil until golden brown and delicious!
Prepare The Spice Mixture
I’m going to show you how to make a delicious falafel without needing a food processor. First, let’s talk about grinding your spices. You can use either a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder if you have one. If not, the back of a spoon in a bowl will work just as well! Make sure whatever you’re using is clean before getting started – that way, your spices won’t come out tasting gritty.
Next up, choosing herbs for your falafel mix. Fresh cilantro, parsley and mint are all great options here – but feel free to experiment with other flavors too. Just be careful not to add too much: it might overpower the rest of the ingredients. Finally, try crushing your garlic by hand instead of adding pre-crushed varieties from jars; this way, you’ll get more flavor into each bite!
Making falafel doesn’t need to involve complicated equipment like food processors – just follow these steps and enjoy making something truly special at home!
Form The Falafel
Making falafel without a food processor is quite manageable! All you need are the right ingredients, some elbow grease and time. Let me show you how I do it. First, gather your chickpeas (or fava beans), garlic, onion, parsley, cumin and salt. Then place them in a large bowl and grind them manually with a mortar and pestle until they form a coarse paste. Once that’s done, mix in your flour of choice until everything comes together nice and firm – this will help to bind all the flavors together. Finally, shape the mixture into balls using your hands or an ice cream scoop for uniformity before frying or baking them to perfection. No food processor? No problem!
Fry The Falafel
I’m ready to fry my falafel! To get the perfect texture and flavor, I’ll need to pay close attention to the temperature of the oil and frying time.
First things first, I want to heat up enough oil in a skillet or pot until it’s hot but not smoking – 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for frying. Once the oil has reached this temperature, it’s time to cook.
Using a slotted spoon or spider, carefully lower three or four falafel balls into the pan – be sure not to overcrowd them as that will cause an uneven cooking process. Fry each side until they’re golden brown then remove from heat and place onto a paper towel lined plate. This should take around 1-2 minutes per side depending on your frying temperature and size of your falafels. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Oil Should I Use To Fry The Falafel?
When it comes to pan frying your falafel, you want to make sure you use an oil that has a high smoke point such as canola or vegetable oil. The higher the smoke point of the oil, the less likely it is to produce toxic fumes when heated. As for seasoning options, feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs like cumin, garlic powder and parsley – whatever suits your taste buds!
How Do I Store The Cooked Falafel?
Storing falafel is really easy! All you need to do is make sure it’s sealed in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. If you want to meal prep with them, store the cooked falafel balls separately from any salads or dressings you’re using – that way they stay nice and crunchy when you go to eat them later. You can also freeze your cooked falafel for up to two months if needed.
How Long Can I Keep The Uncooked Falafel Mixture In The Refrigerator?
You can keep the uncooked falafel mixture in your refrigerator for up to a week. To ensure that it’s always fresh, make sure you store it in an airtight container and chill it as soon as possible after mixing together all of the ingredients. You should also check on the mix every few days to make sure there are no signs of spoilage. If everything looks good, then go ahead and enjoy some delicious homemade falafel!
What Are Some Alternatives To Deep Frying The Falafel?
If you don’t have a food processor, there are still options for making falafel. Instead of deep frying the mixture, you can use other baking techniques like pan-frying or baking in the oven. To pan fry your falafel, heat some oil over medium to high heat and shape the falafel mix into patties with your hands before adding them to the hot oil. Fry on each side until golden brown and then move them onto a paper towel lined plate so they can cool off and crisp up even more. Baking is also an option – just preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) and bake for 30 minutes flipping midway through cooking time.
How Can I Make The Falafel Gluten-Free?
If you want to make a gluten-free falafel, there are several easy substitutes you can use. Instead of using traditional flour or breadcrumbs as binders in the falafel mix, try substituting with chickpea flour, ground almonds or oats. For texture and crunchiness, chopped nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts can be added directly into the mixture. If you don’t have a food processor for chopping vegetables, just opt for grating them instead – it may take more time but still provides good results!
Conclusion
Making falafel without a food processor is totally possible! All you need are the right ingredients, some simple tools from your kitchen, and of course, patience. With a little practice, you can make delicious falafel that’s just as good – if not better – than what comes out of a food processor.
When it comes to frying the falafel, pick an oil with a high smoke point like peanut or vegetable oil for best results. If deep-frying isn’t your thing, try baking them instead! Don’t forget to store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. And if you want to make gluten-free falafel, substitute chickpea flour for all purpose flour when mixing up the recipe. Now that you know how to make perfect falafel without a food processor – get cooking!
