Joan Nathan's Favorite Falafel

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried garbanzo beans
• 1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red chili pepper
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4-6 tablespoons flour or bulgur
• soybean oil or vegetable oil, for frying
• chopped tomato, for garnish
• diced onions, for garnish
• diced green bell pepper, for garnish
• pita bread

Directions

1. 1

   Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Let soak overnight, then drain.

2. 2

   Place the drained, uncooked chickpeas and the onions in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin. Process until blended but not pureed.

3. 3

   Sprinkle in the baking powder and 4 tablespoons of the flour, and pulse. You want to add enough bulgur or flour so that the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands. Turn into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours.

4. 4

   Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts.

5. 5

   Heat 3 inches of oil to 375 degrees in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test. If it falls apart, add a little flour. Then fry about 6 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, and garnishes and sauces of your choice.