Grilled Chipotle Falafel

Falafel is usually served in a pita-like bread called lafa, either inside the bread, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flat bread. In many countries falafel is a popular street food or fast food. The falafel balls, whole or crushed, may be topped with salads, pickled vegetables and hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a mezze.

Yield:

Serves 4

Ingredients

1. 2 cloves garlic, quartered
2. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
3. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or mint
4. 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
5. 1/2 cup plain coarse bread crumbs
6. 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
7. 1 teaspoon baking powder
8. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
9. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10. 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
11. Coarsely ground black pepper to taste
12. Olive oil for brushing
13. .
14. For serving:
15. ===========
16. 4 pita breads
17. Tomato, thinly sliced
18. Red onions, thinly sliced
19. Parsley
20. Tzatziki

Directions

1. Place garlic, cilantro, parsley or mint, chickpeas, and bread crumbs in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to chop and blend ingredients.
2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over chickpea mixture and pulse a few more times. Sprinkle baking powder, cumin, salt, chipotles, and black pepper over mixture and pulse until the chickpea mixture reaches a workable paste-like consistency. Add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice if it seems very dry.
3. Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat (375 degrees).*
4. Using a large tablespoon, scoop balls of dough into your palms and form them into patties. Set aside on work surface while you form the remaining mixture.
5. Brush olive oil onto the bottom grate of the panini grill. Place falafel patties onto the grill and brush more olive oil directly onto the patties. Close the lid so that the upper grate is touching the patties without compressing them. Grill for 7-9 minutes until the patties are crispy on the outside and grill marks appear.
6. Serve in pita bread with tomatoes, red onions, parsley and tzatziki.

Notes