Next Post
Caramelized Teriyaki Salmon with Sesame Toasted Buckwheat.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
I have been dying to share these melts with you.
I mean, I’m pretty much dying to share all my recipes with you, but today’s recipe, and today in general, are just kind of special. For one, these Greek falafel melts are everything a melt should be, plus they’re healthy! Two, we are celebrating something super fun!
I have met a lot of people through this little blog of mine, and two very special ones are Alanna from The Bojon Gourmet and Todd from Honestly Yum. Both Alanna and Todd are incredible people who make even more incredible food and drinks, and take beautiful pictures. Todd and Alanna have gotten together to throw the awesome Sarah from Snixy Kitchen a virtual Baby Shower!! I know, I know! So nice and SO fun!!
How does a virtual baby shower work you ask? Simple, all of Sarah’s internet friends make all of her favorite foods (cheese and sweets…see, Sarah is a smart girl) and then post them all on the same day to celebrate Sarah’s new little addition who is dues in early February. It’s so sweet, right? I would never have thought to do something like this, but I am so happy to be included.
I first met Sarah in person just this past summer. We met in Wisconsin and bonded as we ate our weight in cheese together. Clearly there was no possible way I could not love Sarah… she eats cheese and she loves sweets! What more could you need in a good friend?
The theme of the baby shower is “cheese and sweets”. Obviously, this was a pretty easy concept for me. I think I post a cheesy recipe at least three days out of the week, and a sweet recipe about two days out of the week.
So no problem was had in coming up with a recipe, that’s for sure.
Now, I know we are currently getting towards the end of my “healthy January” (which I cannot believe and am kind of sad about. I have been LOVING all my bright and colorful eats!), but do not think I am giving in just yet! Nope, these Greek falafel melts are totally all good for us. Or well mostly, I guess it just depends on whether you feel cheese is healthy…you know I totally do! AND these are not loaded to the max with cheese, not too little, not too much, just the perfect amount. 🙂
Aside from the cheese, these Greek falafel melts are packed with goodness, full of yummy Greek flavors and baked instead of fried. And yes, those are homemade pitas, I could not resist. All Greek food needs fresh pitas. Just saying.
If you are unfamiliar with falafel, it is a middle eastern street food. Traditionally they are fried and then wrapped in pitas with pickled veggies and drizzled with tahini sauce. The base of the falafel balls is made up of chickpeas, nuts and or seeds and fresh herbs. You fry them, and they’re basically the most delicious things ever. Totally addicting (vegan) street food.
YUM.
Today I made my own (little healthier) version. I baked my falafel instead of frying, added some harvati cheese, a special green tahini sauce and then all my favorite Greek veggies. AKA roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, baby kale, and micro greens. Also, there is most definitely a generous amount of hummus incorporated into these melts as well.
Now do you see why I am beyond exited about them?!?
OH, OH, and I totally made sweet potato fries for snacking on as a side. They’re not technically a part of the recipe, but man, I HIGHLY recommend making them and then stuffing some onto your melt.
Yes, DO THAT. Sweet potato fries are the bestest.
For my falafel, I used a mixed of chickpeas, pine nuts, cilantro, mint and parsley. I also added some jalapeno for a little heat. Add everything into a food processor and then pulse until you have a finely chopped mixture. Roll the mixture into cute little patties and then bake to crisp perfection. Add some cheese and melt. Done and done.
Super simple, full of protein and all healthy things!!
For the special sauce?? Oh this sauce. I LOVE this sauce, it’s a mix of tahini, lemon juice, basil, parmesan (nutritional yeast if you are vegan) and a few other things. Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite sauces. It’s the combo of tahini to basil to lemon to parmesan… SO flipping good. You can use this on salads, soups, fries, sandwiches, anything really. So much YUM!
And then you just pack everything in a pita and begin to devour.
Why did I choose this for Sarah’s shower? Well, I wanted to choose something super healthy and full of good things, because hello… Sarah is about to have a baby!! Not only does the little baby growing inside of her need the goodness, but Sarah needs it for some serious delivery room butt kicking. Also, I have a very good feeling that Sarah will LOVE these melts because one, these melts include harvarti AND parmesan (you can omit the havarti and sub nutritional yeast for the parm if you are vegan), and two, she is a big fan of Greek/middle eastern flavors. If only I could send her a melt. Now that would be awesome!!
How about I just make another one for me for lunch today, you know, in honor of Sarah and her new growing family…
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Totally works for me. Is it lunch time yet?
P.S Wanna see what all of Sarah’s other friends made? Check out the recipes below!
Cheesy Things
Sweet Things
Cheesy & Sweet Things
Oh my …! This looks sooo good – I don’t want to see this foodporn, please;)
I really have to make it by myself!
XO, Leah
Tieghan, not only is your photography PHENOMENAL, but this sounds mind-blowingly delicious!! I’ve never been quite able to master a completely delicious at-home version of falafel (it’s just never quite the same!), but I would eat this up in a heartbeat. And such a great tribute to Sarah. So completely stoked to be included in a roundup with the likes and incredible talents of lovely bloggers like you!! <33
Thank you so much!! Just finished reading through everyones post, all of them are amazing!! 🙂 So happy to be included as well! Have the best Thursday!
Looks really amazing! Have to make this
Kisses from http://poshnessary.com ❤
Love everything about these falafel melts with Havarti cheese (my favorite) and green sauce (can’t wait to try)!!!
What a fantastic offering for Sarah’s virtual Baby Shower! These falafel melts look TO DIE FOR!!
Definitely a great occasion to celebrate! These melts sound awesome!
I know it’s silly to say, but the word you want it is “addictive” not ” addicting” (adjective instead of a verb tense). It’s popular among the very young set, but not correct.
Thank yOU! I will fix that!
YUM!! I’m Middle-Eastern and have falafel on weekly but have never had them this way. Going to try this for sure it looks amazing!
I bet you did not know that your photos and recipes inspire me to stock my shelves and start cooking. I heard that Boston may be getting quite a bit of snow soon. Thanks 🙂
First, I love your site and recipes, seriously great stuff. I’m Greek – we do use Tahini in Greece and especially in Cyprus, which is where I’m from (Tahini dip, sweet Tahinopita pastry pie). Falafel is a favourite of mine, but it isn’t part of the Greek cuisine and never was. It’s a Middle Eastern delight, Lebanon, Egypt etc., whereas Greece and Cyprus are in Europe.
YOU ARE KILLIN IT GIRL! I could shove these in my face right now. Don’t even get me started on that secret sauce 🙂 I am loving this girl. Gorgeous photos too!
This looks so delicious!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
OMW !!! I think I am dreaming !!! These sounds soooooooo delicious !!!!! I am so into chickpeas, and finished the last of mine last night…Oh I wish I had a grocery shop attached to my house 🙂 . I am so making these, and super soon 🙂
You are making me sooooo hungry with this Tieghan!! I am down with any kind of special sauce, especially when it’s healthy and on top of falafels. It’s perfect for our little #cheesebabygirl! 🙂
what a coincidence- i was just telling my friend last night about how good falafels sounded! and that green tahini special sauce seems amazing (tahini and basil make everything better), not to mention that it looks wonderfully creamy (: