Emeril’s Kicked-Up Sandwich #5: Falafel with Cucumber, Onion & Tomato Salad
I was chosen along with 20 other bloggers to participate in a cook-along of Emeril’s soon to be published cookbook, Kicked-Up Sandwiches. Over the next 3 weeks, we will each cook up some delicious looking sandwiches of our choice (at least twice a week). We were given the okay to cook and discuss whatever dishes we want, but only a few recipes were given the okay to publish in their entirety. Learn more about the new cookbook on the information page, and catch up with the other bloggers from the Morrow Cookbook authors on their blog, The Secret Ingredient Blog.
Have you ever had a falafel? It’s one of those sandwiches that you have either had plenty of or never tasted before in your life. I have made a falafel at home before, but I have only done it once. It was good, but not good enough for me to go back to that particular recipe. So I left it at that.
Enter Emeril, 2012.
Emeril, if you are reading this, thank you for giving me the perfect falafel recipe!
No joke. This is the real deal.
Mise en Place
Here is the excerpt from the recipe headnotes:
“Falafel masters, watch out for the home cook who makes this one! The flavor is slam dunk and the method is just too easy. You don’t have to go out for really good falafel anymore – and you definitely won’t go back to the mix!”Everything about that statement is true. Everything.
This sandwich will make a falafel lover out of anyone. Emeril gives you all of the tools to make all parts from scratch. From the pita bread down to the harissa hot sauce, you can’t miss.
Truly freakin’ delicious, I had to eat mine in a corner while my husband waited patiently behind me for the other half of my sandwich. Usually, I get full after half a sandwich of this size and he knew that. This time, he was anticipating my leftovers. I’m not kidding.
As much as I wanted to finish this Middle Eastern treat, he won. He ate an entire sandwich, plus half of mine.
We will be having this again.
Kitchen Notes:
- My first round of frying did not produce anything that looked like a patty. Make sure to use a 2 tablespoon scoop (as suggested), and if they fall apart, dusting with a little flour should help.
- The recipe called for a mix of dried chickpeas and fava beans [soaked], I used all chickpeas (canned) so that may attribute to the softness of my end result.
- Although I had planned to, I didn’t have time to make the pita bread so I went with some Naan bread I had on hand. Emeril’s recipe for pita is straight forward and pantry friendly, so if you have a chance, give it a go.
For the recipe, order Emeril’s Kicked-Up Sandwiches
Book Signings:
Emeril will be in New York on October 18, 2012 from 4-5pm
and
Orlando on October 25 from 4-6pm!
I love falafel! Great pick for #SeriousSandwich … I can’t wait to try this one myself!
If you love falafel, you will love this recipe!
Why do I not remember seeing this? Great job and thanks for the extra tips!
Thanks! It is easy to miss – it is one of the recipes with no photos, but definitely worth seeking out.
I love felafel but never tried making it at home. So glad I have this book though…adding this to my must try list
Along with many other recipes in this book, right?!
Miranda, once again your Mise en Place photograph has made me hungry. Thank you for encouraging us to make our own bread, too! I bet it takes all his sandwiches to the next level (using his homemade breads).
Nothing beats homemade! I really don’t like the pre-packaged pitas, so I will be trying his recipe for sure.
Looks great! I have a recipe for falafel that I bake instead of frying. Alot easier but the dough is very wet. Extra flour totally helps with that as you suggested
Looks awesome – I love falafel! I am hopefully making these this week.
I’ve bookmarked the falafel, too. Looks fantastic!
Very Interesting Article.
Baklava