23 August 2010

Open-Faced Falafel Burgers for Meatless Mondays

Open-Faced Falafel Burgers

It seems that with the abundance of the season at our farmers markets and fruit stands it has become extremely easy to eat locally and support our local farmers and producers. This also makes it simple to participate in Meatless Mondays once again.

 A while back I found this version of one of my favourite Middle Eastern dishes in Cooking Light and it was inevitable that I would be making my own variation sooner or later. I used what I had on hand which included yellow heirloom tomatoes, zucchini instead of cucumber and topped it all off with a garlicky tzatziki sauce.



 **Open-Faced Falafel Burgers**

based on a recipe from Cooking Light

1 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs, divided
1 egg white
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided

6 mini pitas (about 5 inches wide)
3 cups chopped salad greens
2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 cups sliced peeled cucumber or zucchini
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1 cup tzatziki sauce

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To prepare sauce, combine the first 5 ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth.

To prepare patties, combine 1 cup onion and next 7 ingredients (through 4 garlic cloves) in a food processor, and process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Place bean mixture in a large bowl; stir in 1/4 cup breadcrumbs and egg white. Divide bean mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Place remaining 1/4 cup breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Dredge patties in breadcrumbs.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining 2 teaspoons oil and patties.

Warm mini pitas. Place 1 pita on each of 6 plates. Top each serving with 1/2 cup salad greens, 1/3 cup tomato, 1/3 cup cucumber or zucchini, and 4 teaspoons onion. Drizzle each serving with about 3 tablespoons sauce; top each serving with 1 patty.

Serves 6

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27 comments:

  1. This sounds as good as it looks. I'm eager to try it for lunch and only need to pick up ground coriander from the market today.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. These look delicious, Val. I was never a huge falafel fan because I wasn't that big into garbanzos. But now that I know I like them, I have to give falafel another try and this looks like a great place to start!

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  3. Val, this is TOTALLY up my alley! Looks awesome!

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  4. I love homemade falafels. Throw them in a pita with some heirloom tomato slices and I would basically be in heaven!

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  5. Oh how I love falafel! I could eat a dozen of these.

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  6. If only you knew how I LOVE falafel!!! This is a meal worth bookmarking and making soon!

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  7. I heart falafel with tzatziki. So yum- Yours sound so so good. Thanks!

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  8. Love this! I've been looking for a falafel recipe but haven't found one I like until now. Fantastic sandwich.

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  9. Terrific! My kind of meatless snack!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  10. Valli this look absolutely nice and yummy! We love falafel a lot! xxgloria

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  11. How funny! I was telling my neighbor yesterday that I've been dying for falafel!! She'd never heard of it, so I told her we'd make some together next week! Val, you are my missing sister!
    xoxo Pattie

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  12. This looks great. Elegant presentation, as always.

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  13. i love me some falafel! could i have three times the typical serving of tzatziki, please? :)

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  14. How strange. I haven't had a falafel sandwich in ten years, but ate one this weekend and today bought some chickpeas. Now I've got the perfect recipe.

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  15. I don't think I've ever had falafel, but I'm all OVER tzatziki on my souvlakis so I have to give this a try, too!

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  16. i havent been around a little while, but I like the new look around here. And, falafel are a wonderful meat free monday for sure.

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  17. So lovely.. I can live on this.

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  18. I am SO excited to try this falafel! I haven't found a good recipe yet.

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  19. I've never thought of turning falafel into burger shapes...this looks incredible Val!

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  20. I enjoy a fresh healthy meal such as this one. Nice!

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  21. It looks delicious and is a must try! Love chickpeas and you've done them up perfectly! I will try this!

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  22. These are fantastic, Val!! :-) I love Middle Eastern food so much, but I've never made falafel myself. I really like the sauce!

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  23. Falafel has to be one of the tastiest Middle Eastern foods - meatless or not. I often forget how easy it is to make at home. Thank you for sharing!

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  24. A falafel burger sounds excellent! I've got chickpeas and will be making this for lunch tomorrow, thanks for sharing this!

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  25. Wow - now how lovely does that burger look?!! I must give this a go Val.

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  26. Excellent recipe for me to adapt to my lighter way of cooking...meatless is becoming a lot easier ;o)

    Great ingredients...surely tasty as usual.

    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  27. Valli!
    I love how you take care of yourself. Your meals are so diverse and flavourful and I wish I lived closer - truly. Meatless Monday! YUM! I have told you before, that would be IMPOSSIBLE here, but I go meatless almost always... I just don't do it up as well as you as I am cooking for my Carnivore. The photo had me wiping my chin!
    :)
    Valerie

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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