Falafels most likely originated in Egypt. The fava bean version was eaten by Copic Christians during the Roman era as a replacement for meat. This was as early as the 4th century. This delicious ball of goodness is a mixture of finely grounded chickpeas, fresh herbs and spices deep fried into semi-circles. They were only found in Middle Eastern and Jewish American restaurants prior to the 1970s. Today it is one of the most savored street foods in the nation. The Middle Eastern food and grocery retail market had a total revenue of $189.8 billion in 2020 growing at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2016 and 2020.
Falafels are packed with micronutrients. This may be the reason why this street food is quite loved and is consumed 1.44 times on average each year. It also accounts for 54.6% of the top food ingredients and pairings share in America. A 3.5 oz patty will also contain 333 calories, 0.46 oz proteins and 0.17 oz fiber. Falafels are also rich in niacin, vitamin B5, calcium, zinc, iron and potassium. All of these combined can support healthy blood sugar, lower the risks of heart diseases and improve bowel health. Do you have some leftover falafel from the night before and wondering what is the best way to reutilize it? Here’s what to consider.
Salad with Lemon Tahini
America is often known as the salad-eating nation where 34% of the total population turn to salads to tick off their daily serving of fruits and vegetables. No wonder the North American packaged salad market size was valued at $5.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2021 to 2028. So, you can consider creating a salad by heating the falafel in a bowl and simply adding lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic cloves, onions and toppings of your choice. Drizzle with a Lemon Tahini dressing. It does not take more than a couple of minutes and can be consumed by both children and adults for breakfast or lunch.
Falafel Burger
Americans devour almost 50 million burgers every year. This means each individual may consume 154 burgers each year or 3 per week. Falafel burgers offer a satisfying bite which is low in calories but has a high nutritional value filled with protein, carbohydrates and fat. Pureed chickpeas seasoned with falafel flavors, tzatziki or Tahini sauce and pickled red onions can make an excellent vegetable burger. You can simply reheat the falafels in a skillet and turn them crispy golden brown and add them to gluten-free split and toasted buns. Add parsley leaves, cumin and coriander, jalapeno pepper and extra-virgin olive oil for an ultimate gastronomic experience.
Indian Style Falafel Curry
It is a simple recipe where you dunk the falafel into a creamy curry sauce. The gravy is made from pureed tomatoes, onions, coriander and garam masala powder, butter or oil, caraway, fresh cream and water. Add all the ingredients with the puree into the pan and bring it to a boil. Now turn off the heat, add cream and the falafel balls and simmer for 3-4 minutes. You can garnish with fresh coriander leaves and pair with rice or bread. This makes for a wholesome comfort food ideal for a filling lunch.
Falafel Fritters
These are small fried or deep-fried cakes that contain meats, vegetables or fruits. All you have to do is press down the balls with your palm to flatten them, heat oil in a skillet and place them evenly apart and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Turn them gently to avoid major splatters. Once done, simply transfer them to a cast iron rack or plate. These can be served with a bowl of cucumbers, yogurt sauce and lemon wedges. These can please your taste buds and can be a vital element of your weight loss journey. Other variations can be a mix of falafel and zucchini fritters or paneer and falafel fritters.
You can add plenty of ingredients to your falafel. For instance, spiced lamb, harissa-spiked vegetarian patties and dollops of yogurt for a healthy makeover. Else, you can simply order pita bread and mint lemonade or tamarind juices from the nearest Middle East restaurant chain and combine it with the leftovers for a quick and affordable meal.
