“My mom makes the best [insert name of dish here]!”
“My restaurant makes the best version of [insert name of dish here]!”
Okay, okay– we know there’s no denying your mother’s or head chef’s skills are best in the kitchen (and to be frank, we’d probably be scared to argue with you). But it is true that beloved dishes are highly argued over regarding how they should be made to achieve that perfect taste. From the ingredients, to the preparation and cooking technique, nothing rings truer and closer to this argument than that of the falafel!
Those delectable hot crispy and crunchy fried balls of goodness are a traditional Middle Easter food but also highly popular in Jewish cuisine as well. Traditionally made of a mixture of fava beans or chickpeas, herbs and spices, shaped into a ball or round shape and deep fried to perfection. Due to the huge popularity of this dish and the large number of countries (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Israel, for example), each area has its own special way of creating this dish. Heck, even McDonald’s has its own version of falafel and yes–you guessed it–they call it the McFalafel.
Some people prefer to use lots of corriander, some shape them into flatter patties, some into round balls. Some will insist on only using fava beans. We say, let the debate continue!
But in the meantime, check out this great recipe for falafel over at NPR’s blog, The Salt. And don’t forget, there’s no wrong way to eat a falafel; just make sure all those delicious contents go into the mouth!