Bean-less Falafels

[Carmella]

Now, these are DEEEEEEElish! I was never a huge fan of SAD falafels, as they are made with chickpea powder and deep-fried (yuck!), but these.....Oh my! They are light and fluffy, and taste a thousand times better. Plus, they smell so good while in the dehydrator! An absolute 'must try'!

Bean-less Falafel
From Alissa Cohen's "Living on Live Food"
Posted on Veggieboards Forum

I’m not all that crazy about eating a lot of beans, they just don’t digest well for me. But, I love falafel, which is usually made with chickpeas. The solution: almonds! These are out of this world! Dehydrate them for only a few hours and they come out fluffy and soft.

2 cups almonds
1/2 cup cilantro
1/4 cup parsley
4 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons tahini
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup water

In a food processor, blend the almonds until fine.

Add the remaining ingredients, and blend well.

Roll mixture into small balls and place on a mesh dehydrator screen.

Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 4-5 hours, longer if you desire a crispy falafel.

Serve with Cucumber Sauce (See Sauce thread)

[Mosaica]

Carmella, I plan to make these tomorrow, but not sure to soak or not the almonds?

[Fairygirl]

Mosaica, you will love these! i made them the other day for clients - it was my first time trying, though ive wanted to make em for ages.

The recipe calls for unsoaked almonds, which is what i did, but next time do want to soak them.

[Mosaica]

Thanks, Fairygirl!
Another question: when you soak the almonds, do you remove the loosened brown skins or just use it as it is?

[Carmella]

Mosaica,
Soaking makes nuts/seeds a lot more digestable so I do so as often as possible.

As I always like to fill the D right up whenever I use it, whenever I have extra space, I dehydrate soaked nuts and seeds so I have them all ready to use in a recipe that calls for unsoaked or dry ones. All it requires is for you to do a little planning ahead before doing some 'unbaking'.

Oh, and about the skins... Nah! Way too much work for me! lol

[Mosaica]

Thank you, Carmella. Since this is my last day with the fasting bandits, I started to plan meals for tomorrow. I might not eat too much (maybe just for dinner) but my hubby can't wait to eat some yummy raw stuff.
I plan to make these falafels, the black sesame bread, the curry pate and the spinach palak. I think it's going to fill up my Dehydrator and with salads, we'll be ok for a few days.

[Aleesha]

oh man i soooooooo need my D!

[Carmella]

Mmmmmmm... Sounds mighty yum, Mosaica!

I just put it some black sesame sunseed bread in myself. I made a sundried toms and black olives variation. Can't wait to see how it will turn out! Will keep you posted, of course.

[Fairygirl]

Mosaica,
cant wait to hear how you like the falafels, i love em!!!! i cant wait for my clients to try too - they're on the menu for next week's combo.

[spazgirl]

I just made these today and they were so delicious! My boyfriend, who's a very picky eater and wary of many raw dishes, really liked them as well.

I made the Cucumber Sauce, but didn't have any dill so I substituted parsley and arugula. I also added a little bit of cayenne. It was wonderful!

This recipe is going to be a staple in our house!

[Carmella]

spatzgirl,

Welcome to the fammunity!

I made these yesterday and that was tonite's dinner. I had forgotten how yummy they are! I served them with left-over dressing from making Kale chips. Delish!

[Gittel]

As I always like to fill the D right up whenever I use it, whenever I have extra space, I dehydrate soaked nuts and seeds so I have them all ready to use in a recipe that calls for unsoaked or dry ones.

Carmella, how do you store your soaked nuts/seeds? And how do you store your soaked and dehydrated nuts/seeds? Can any of this be frozen?

Thanks!
Gittel

[Carmella]

Gittel,

I use soaked nuts and seeds pretty much right away. I do sometimes put soaked almonds in the fridge, covered in fresh water, if I didn't get around to making milk with them or using them in a recipe. Soaked sunflower seeds I find need using very quickly as they seem to turn brown the longer they sit on the counter.

The dehydrated seeds/nuts can be kept in the fridge or probably in the freezer if stored in an airtight container; a double layer would help to avoid frostbite (for ex: 2 ziplock bags, one in the other, or a ziplock bag in a plastic container.)

[Gittel]

You must be incredibly organized, Carmella, to be able to use soaked nuts/seeds right away--either planning ahead or soaking and being able to use them as soon as they are ready. I'm very impressed!

Thanks for the tips!
Gittel

[spazgirl]

Originally Posted by Carmella

spatzgirl,

Welcome to the fammunity!

Thanks, Carmella! It's great to be here. So much inspiration! In fact, it was your announcement of your savory D-day that put these yummy falafels onto my radar! I'm so glad you asked for suggestions!

Dana