Bite with Belkys: Falafels and Tahini Sauce

The Chef: Jouvens Jean
The Restaurant: Sawa Restaurant and Lounge
The Dish: Falafels and Tahini sauce

Ingredients for Falafels:

1 cup dried chickpeas (or 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans)1 cup dried fava bean
1 tsp. of cumin
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1 tsp. of allspice
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. of baking soda
3 Tbs. of fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups of vegetable oil for frying
2 Tbs. of tomato, chopped
2 Tbs. of cucumber, chopped
1 Tbs. of extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. of lemon juice

Method of Preparation:

-Start by soaking the dried chickpeas and fava beans in cold water. Let them sit for 24 hours. If you don't have time, you can use canned beans. Chef Jouvens says to rinse the canned beans and let them sit in water for 20 minutes.

-Then, drain the beans and cook them in simmering water.

-Next, transfer the beans to a bowl and add cumin, cinnamon, allspice, garlic, baking soda, parsley and a pinch of salt and pepper. Smash it all together with that back of a spoon or mix it in a food processor.

-At the restaurant, they use a falafel mold. but you can also use your hands to shape small patties.

-Lastly, deep fry the patties in vegetable oil.

-Now, make a lebanese salad. In a bowl, combine tomato, cucumber, parsley, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

Ingredients for Tahini Sauce:

1 oz. of sesame paste
1 Tbs. of lemon juice
1 pinch of garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp. of extra virgin olive oil
2 oz. of water

Method of Preparation:

-Whisk sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and water.

To Plate:

Start by serving the salad. Then, place the falafels on top and serve the tahini sauce on the side. Make sure to pair it with some pita bread.

Serving Suggestion: Albarino

Serves: 1

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
360 San Lorenzo Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 447-6555
www.sawarestaurant.com