Mediterranean Falafel Bowl.
Healthy, light and fairly simple to make (don't let the ingredient list freak you out!
Prep Time25 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Servings: 4 Bowls
Calories: 1407kcal
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 Persian cucumbers sliced
- 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 cup [beet hummus | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-beet-hummus-video/] or your favorite hummus
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives halved
- 1 roasted red pepper sliced (homemade or jarred)
- 1 avocado sliced
- 8 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds and or sesame seeds, for topping
Falafel
In a food processor, combine the parsley, cilantro and almonds. Pulse until the almonds are finely chopped. Add the chickpeas, flour and baking soda and pulse until until the mixture is combined and mostly smooth. Add the sesame seeds and salt, pulse once or twice to just combine and then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into rounded teaspoon size balls.
To BAKE: preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Flatten the balls with the palm of your hand. Brush the tops of the balls with olive oil. Bake until crisp and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
To FRY: add a few inches of oil to the bottom of a heavy pot. Heat to 375 degrees F.
Fry the balls for 2-3 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels and then sprinkle lightly with salt.
Bowls
In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa, cucumbers, parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Divide the quinoa among bowls. To each bowl, add a dollop of [hummus | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-beet-hummus-video/], handful of kalamata olives, roasted red peppers slices and avocado. Sprinkle the bowls with feta and toasted nuts/seeds. Finish with a drizzle of lemon tahini (recipe below). EAT!
*I used a harissa that was a combo of sun-dried tomatoes and harissa spices. I found it at Whole Foods. You can use this, or regular harissa and just add sun-dried tomatoes. Both are delicious!
*Falafel adapted from Curtis Stone.
Calories: 1407kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 69g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 1027mg | Potassium: 1542mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3410IU | Vitamin C: 63.4mg | Calcium: 592mg | Iron: 9mg