Falafel with Tahini Sauce

Falafel with Tahini Sauce

This is a very tasty light starter or can be part of a meze spread.  You can prepare this dish in advance and reheat in a low oven when ready to serve.

Makes 10

Prep time:   35 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 x 400g/14 oz tin of chick peas, drained

Sea salt & pepper

1 small handful of fresh mint, chopped

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 lemon, zest only

2 garlic cloves, peeled & finely chopped

½ onion, peeled & finely chopped

1 small handful of fresh coriander, chopped

Vegetable oil for shallow frying

Tahini Sauce

1 tbsp tahini

4 tbsp Greek yogurt

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp honey

Method

1.  Place the chick peas into a food processor with a good pinch of salt and blitz.  Add the rest of the ingredients except the oil and blend until you have a fine bread crumb texture.  Season to taste.

2.  Shape the mixture into golf ball sizes and place on a tray, cover with cling film and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

3.  For the sauce, place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly, season to taste.

4.  For the falafel, heat 2cm of oil in a large frying pan, make sure that the oil is fully heated through.  Shallow-fry for 4-5 minutes, turn occasionally until golden and crisp.  Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm in a low oven until all the rest are cooked.

5.  Serve the falafels with the tahini sauce.  You could also serve them with warm pitta bread and salad.