Falafel - what is this? Falafel: photo

Israel is a country of contrasts and amazing culture, which finds its expression even in traditional Arab cuisine. For example, the national dish is falafel. What is it? And with what it is eaten? But this is an integral part of culture, without which it is impossible to imagine Israel.

Falafel - more than just food

In Israel, somehow you absolutely do not think where the falafel comes from. This is a natural phenomenon for this country, exactly the same as potatoes for Belarusians or fat for Ukrainians. Solid businessmen eat it during business lunches, poor students eat it in the dining room three times a day, and for the weekend everyone goes to dine with their families in hummussi - small restaurants, in which, of course, served delicious falafel. It seems that this dish exists and outside the kitchens and restaurants. Therefore, we can safely offer, so to speak, a gastronomic synonym for Israel - this is the traditional Arabic dish falafel. What is it? What is it like? And why does everyone love him so much?

Some call it "American hamburger" in the American way, but, unlike fast food, falafel does not contain so many harmful substances. Rather, on the contrary, the minerals and proteins that make up it prevent the development of cancer, and also slow the aging process.

History of popularity

Arabic falafel - a traditional dish, which consists of boiled chickpeas and spices. Bean culture is carefully grinded or grinded to a gruel-like consistency, and then fry well in oil until golden brown.

This simple dish for a short time has won unreal popularity in the whole Middle East, and then in North Africa and the Middle East. Just as quickly falafel, photo of which makes him immediately go to his search, spread all over the world, becoming an integral part of the menu of small restaurants and eateries. He especially fell in love with the Israelis, turning into a kind of symbol of the country. Most often it is served with lots of vegetables or wrapped in aromatic pita bread.

How to cook falafel at home?

There is nothing complicated here. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations, and then the fragrant balls will turn out exactly like in Israeli restaurants. So, first you need to understand the ingredients necessary for cooking. Remember that falafel is Arabic cuisine, which means that it is not worth replacing them with similar products of our latitudes, since this will essentially spoil the taste of the traditional dish.

For cooking, you need the following:

• Special peas - 500 grams;
• 1 teaspoon of soda;
• Two small bulbs;
• 3 - 5 cloves of garlic;
• A lot of greenery - it can be parsley and must be coriander;
• A quarter teaspoon of coriander;
• Deodorized oil;
• Pita or lavash;
• Bread crumbs or flour (at worst);
• An ordinary salad of vegetables.

Falafel - Arabic cuisine

It is worth paying attention to the main component of the traditional Israeli dish - chickpeas. It is necessary to use only it - you can not replace it with anything. So, bean culture should be soaked overnight in cold water. By morning, foam will appear on the surface - this is normal, you should not be frightened. Peas should be thoroughly washed under running water, and then passed through a meat grinder. Blender for these purposes is not suitable - the ingredients should be crushed, rather than mush.

Through the meat grinder along with chickpeas let the greens (a bunch of parsley and coriander). There also send chopped onions and garlic. Seal this whole thing with coriander, salt and pepper (to taste). All mix well. If the mixture turned liquid, you can add a small amount of breadcrumbs.

Roll medium sized balls and fry in a lot of deodorized oil until golden brown.

How to eat falafel

What is this dish - is already clear. It remains to understand what it is usually eaten. At home, falafel can be served to the table simply by putting a spicy sauce nearby, for example, tatziki. In addition, in a cozy atmosphere falafel perfectly matches with a juicy vegetable garnish. You can buy pita or pita bread in advance and serve ruddy balls, wrapped in them with lots of fresh vegetables and greens.

And how is the traditional Arabic dish served in Israel and other countries? Falafel, whose photo causes intense salivation, is often fed in pita. To do this, she is cut off the top, grease the inside of the plate and lined with salad leaves , onion rings, tomatoes and other vegetables. In conclusion, several rosy falafelins are put into this vegetable envelope and lightly sprinkled with some sauce.

The classical variant of the use of the traditional Arabic dish is the falafel with the thyme sauce. In addition, these ruddy balls are perfectly combined with more familiar mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream or ketchup.

Interesting facts about falafel

Surely many will be surprised that this amazing dish has penetrated into many spheres of human life. In Israel, you can even see the signs associated with these ruddy balls. But for certain few people know that the name of this traditional Arabic dish has made it to the film industry. The film "He died with a falafel in his hand" is an interesting and slightly strange comedy that I want to see already because of one name.

It is worth noting another important feature of the traditional Arabic dish. Despite the fact that it is sometimes compared to an American hamburger, falafel is a storehouse of useful substances, which is quite logical, because its main component is a legume crop.

By the way, in different countries this dish is served in various ways. So, for example, in Lebanon instead of an acute sauce you can be offered yogurt, but in Egypt - bean sauce. Moreover, even the shape and dimensions of the balls themselves can be different.

A dish that can not be disliked is falafel. What is it and what does it eat? To this question the answer is found, now you need to run to the store for all the ingredients and start to prepare a traditional Arabic dish at home.