Cumin Spiced Falafel

I wanted to make some really new and flavorful dishes for the clean living challenge-clean living doesn’t have to be bland or tasteless, as this dish has a smoky kick to it.  Place in a pita with some dressing and veggies, or just eat alone for a light lunch or snack. This recipe is easy and will have your friends giving you a grateful pat on the back!

1 cup dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

3 cloves of garlic mined

1 yellow onion chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley (flat leaf)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

pinch of salt

2 T olive oil

Cook chickpeas over high heat in a saucepan for about 15 minutes, or until slightly soft but tender

Drain and cool for 10 minutes

In your food processor, mix chickpeas, garlic, onion, and parsley together until coarse chopped.  In a medium sized bowl, mix with baking powder, cumin, salt and crushed red pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour

Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium high heat.  Wet your hands slightly and shape into small patties (should make 10-12 3 inch patties)

Brown, turning once for about 5 minutes total, 3-4 patties at a time.  Serve with pita bread or a carrot/cucumber salad.

Can be kept in the fridge for 3 days.