When I think about meals I couldn’t live without, I think about a falafel sandwich with all the fixings. I’m talking about creamy tahini sauce, spicy hot sauce, crunchy pickles, and fresh lettuce. Whether it’s fried, baked, or even raw, I adore falafel.
At the Alhambra overlooking Granada
I lived in Madrid for a semester in college, and Granada was a favorite weekend destination for me and my girlfriends. Unlike Madrid, Granada is highly influenced by north African and Islamic culture. The stunning Alhambra is there, after all. And it was in Granada that I had the best falafel ever.
It was at a little kebab shop where our friend/my crush worked. We visited Granada twice, and ate at that kebab many times, and it’s still the best I’ve ever had. Perhaps it was the company, perhaps it was the authentic atmosphere, perhaps it was the hookah, or it could have just been Granada, but that falafel sandwich was magic.
My girls 🙂 German/Senegalese crush on the right <3
I want to go back there so badly!
Until I’m able to make it back to that little kebab in Granada, I’ll continue to make my own healthy falafel at home. I hook it up with tasty toppings, serve it in a pita, and close my eyes to imagine I’m enjoying it under the gaze of the Alhambra.
- 1 medium sweet potato, baked or steamed in the skin
- 14 oz can chickpeas, rinsed
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 large cucumbers, peeled and seeds removed, and diced into ¾ centimeter thick cubes
- 1 ripe avocado, flesh diced like the cucumber
- ¼ cup red onion or shallot, minced
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
- ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (plus a splash for good measure)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ¼ -1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon
- ½ cup water
- 4 big handfuls of arugula
- 4 pita pockets
- Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor, and pulse until the ingredients are combined. Be careful not to over blend or puree. The ingredients should hold together, but maintain their texture. Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tbsp) to scoop falafel balls and place directly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Place all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and stir well to combine with a large spoon.
- Season to taste with a dash more sea salt, vinegar, or lemon juice if necessary.
- Place ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Or place ingredients into a jar with a lid, and shake until creamy.
- Fill pita pockets with arugula, falafel, cucumber salad, and tahini. Enjoy!