Awful Falafel

TERRY DAVIS in Summerville, SC.'s Note:

Don't let the name fool you! these are really tasty and good for you. I used this name because when we went to Israel one of our traveling buddies said he would never eat anything that sounds like awful and he called them Awful Falafels, but it is he that missed out. This is as authentic to the ones in Israel as I could find.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 1⁄3; cups dried garbanzo beans , don't use canned
• 4 tablespoons bulgur wheat , can get from health food stores
• 1 onion , chopped finely
• 5 garlic cloves , minced
• 5 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped
• 5 tablespoons fresh coriander , chopped (cilantro)
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 3 tablespoons water
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom seed
• 4 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Place chickpeas in a large bowl and add water to at least 2 inches over the top of chickpeas.
2. Let soak for 4 hours.
3. Drain and grind in a food processor. (I tried in a blender but not ground fine enough).
4. Add chickpeas to a bowl and stir in bulgar wheat, onion, garlic, parsley, fresh coriander, ground cumin, ground coriander, baking powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, curry powder and 3 tablespoons water mixing well.
5. Let stand for 45 minutes.
6. Add flour to mixture mixing well, should be moist but not runny, if too dry add water a tablespoon at a time or if too wet add flour a little at a time.
7. Wet hands and shape mixture into balls the size of golf balls.
8. Heat oil for deep-frying to 350.
9. Add falafel balls to the hot oil (making sure not to over crowd the pan) and cook for 4 minutes, if not using a deep fryer then turn balls over after 2 minutes.
10. Remove from pan and let drain on paper towels.
11. Serve in pita bread with hummus, fresh vegetables, tahini and olives or use what you prefer.
12. Time to make doesn't include soaking and standing times.
13. Enjoy.