Falafel Party

FALAFEL NIGHT!

A few months before my wedding, my best friend Katie came to help go over hair and makeup with me. She was such an awesome friend to me during those few months before the wedding. I decided to cook something festive while she was here and we definitely ate it all up! This meal has a lot of components, my recommendation would be to make things in advance like the pita & yogurt tahini sauce.

Falafel

2 cans chickpeas 
1 small red onion
5 garlic cloves
1/4 cup fresh parsley * I just grab a handful of each, I don't think you can have too much herbs ever!
1/4 cup fresh cilantro *
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup flour 
a sprinkle of black pepper

combine all the ingredients (minus the flour) in a food processor or using a mortar and pestle. It is hard to mix so be encouraged that your doing it right! place in a bowl and add flour a little at a time until it reaches a constancy to form balls. Roll out all of your falafel balls while heating up 1 cup of olive oil in a skillet or wok (you can use a deep fryer if you have one). Place about 4-5 balls in the hot oil depending on the size of the skillet. 2-3 minutes on each side. Then remove and place on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. Continue until all are made

Yogurt Tahini Sauce

3/4 cup of plain greek yogurt

1 TB lemon juice

zest of half a lemon

handful of chopped parsley and cilantro

season with salt and pepper

Pita Bread

(typically I would make whole wheat but I did not have any flour on me at the time)

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (may need more once you begin to mix all ingredients together)

2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons instant yeast2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/4 cups warm water

Preheat oven to 475 degree's

Mixing all the ingredients together (adding water last) use a hand mixer to combine. Knead for 10 minutes and then let the dough rest for 10-20 minutes. Place dough on a floured surface. Cut dough in half and then into halves again until you have eight pieces to work with. Shape into round ball and then flatten with your hands. Let them rest for another 10 minutes. Cook on parchment paper in the oven for 5 minutes, keeping an eye on them to determine when they are done. (should puff up and get a bit golden). 

At this point you are ready to eat. Add some freshly cut cucumbers and tomatoes and begin assembling your pita! 

happy dining,

-K

Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad

Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad

1 can of chick peas (drained and rinsed)
3 roma tomatos (sliced in bite size pieces
1 cucumber (sliced into bite size pieces)
1 ear of roasted corn on the cob
1/2 red onion
2 cloves of garlic (smashed into a paste)
handful of cilantro & parsley (cut small)
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2-3 TB good olive oil

This salad is really fool proof. Just mix all ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. Great side to fish or a nice black bean burger!

happy dining,

-K

Whole Wheat Blueberry Scones

WHOLE WHEAT BLUEBERRY SCONES (8 large scones, 12 small scones)

1 1/2 cups King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour*
1/2 cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons coarse sugar, for sprinkling on top


Whisk together all the dry ingredients in one bowl. Add the cut butter and begin to work it into the dry ingredients with a fork. (or clean fingers!) Add the blueberries. In a separate bowl mix together all of the wet ingredients together with an electric mixer. Adding a little bit at a time, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until you have a wet moist dough. Scoop the amount of dough you would prefer onto a pan lined with parchment paper. (this is where you can form the dough to the shape you would prefer) Baste with milk and sprinkle sea salt on top. Place in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. 

Dulces,

-K