Falafel questions.....

[jem927]

I know falafel has been around for years, and years, but I have never tried it...

Now as I am making some serious changes to my diet, I would like to try it. My biggest question is - what does it taste like? The recipe for it in Jan. CL looks interesting and flavorful, but I don't want to make a ton of it, not knowing what it will taste like. Any descriptions for me??

Also, on a lighter note, how exactly do you pronounce it? One a Sara Moulton show recently, she pronounced it fa-la-fel, and I thought it was fal-a-fel. Minor difference, but I was just curious...

Thanks in advance!

Jamie

[Aubergine]

hi, Jamie. re: pronunciation, the emphasis is on the middle syllable: "fuh-LA-ful" -- a short "ful," not "fell." kinda like the end of the word "doubtful."

as to taste, i can't comment on the CL recipe, but i've eaten a lot of falafel in my day, and i would describe it as nutty and crunchy, with a hint of mild heat. i just love the stuff. they are filling; 2-3 balls of it in a pita (with lettuce, etc.) is plenty for me at one meal.

[gertdog]

As for pronunciation, I've always heard it as "fuh-LA-full" (I guess that's similar to Sara Moulton's way) but I don't know if that's the definitive way to say it!

Flavor- I'm not sure how to describe the taste. The ground chickpeas and breadcrumbs pick up the flavors of the seasonings and herbs really nicely, so whatever herbs are included in the recipe will be noticeable. I personally don't think falafel tastes much like chickpeas- they have a mild flavor that just kinds of blends in with everything else. I love falafel!

[jem927]

I figured that since chickpeas take on other flavors, that it would taste like whatever else was in the recipe.

Another question before I go make this -- is falafel something that I can use during the week for lunches, or is it better eaten fresh out of the oven in the sandwiches?

Thanks again for the info!

Jamie

[jphilg]

Well, it is best right out of the fryer. CL has provided a recipe for baked chickpea patties, IMHO.

Seriously. I think that falafel is one of those items that just shouldn't be made low fat. Just promise me that if you try baked chickpea patties and don't like them, you won't dismiss falafel altogether, because without the frying, you aren't making falafel in my book. (I feel the same way about so-called baked doughnuts. If you don't fry it, it is a baby bundt cake).

That said, I think that the baked chickpea patties (ok. I am over it now;) ) would reheat better than their traditional counterparts, because you aren't getting that crispness in the first place. I think that they would be just fine reheated for lunches.