Easy Baked Falafel

I love falafel, but they’re usually fried at restaurants.  The baked version is definitely a healthier choice.  This is a great baked recipe that is so simple and fast.  They’re great in a traditional wrap or you could even make a salad with them.

1. Preheat oven to 450, spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a food processor:  pulse 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, and 2 cloves of garlic.
3. Add 3 tbsp chopped onion, 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, 2 tsp olive oil, and 2 tsp of hot sauce and blend till smooth.
4. Transfer to mixing bowl and mix in 3 tbsp chickpea flour, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch of pepper.
5. Mixture should be the consistency to shape into balls, if not, add 1 tbsp more of chickpea flour.
6. Form mixture into walnut sized balls and then flatten into a patties.
7. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and spray falafel with cooking spray, then flip them over.
9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes more.

Serve on pita bread, flat bread, or over lettuce, add vegetables and tahini sauce.

4 servings.  Weight Watcher PointsPlus value:  3

Recipe from the awesome Appetite For Reduction.

Read Full Post »

Light and Easy White Bean Salad

This is a simple bean salad recipe.  It’s light and fresh, a nice spring-summer taste.  It takes minutes to prepare, definitely my kind of dish!

1. Drain and rinse 2 cans of white beans and place in large bowl, set aside.
2. In another bowl, mix together:

• Juice and zest of 1 small lemon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1 tsp salt and a little pepper.

3.  Stir in:

• Some chopped flat leaf parsley (recipe calls for a cup, but put to your liking.  If you don’t have fresh, use some dried).
• 1 diced plum tomato
• 1 diced celery rib with leaves.

4.  Stir these ingredients into the bowl of beans, check seasonings and add to taste.

Serve this dish hot or cold.

4 servings.  Weight Watchers PointsPlus value = 7

(The original recipe is from the January 2011 WW magazine).White BeansVegan

Read Full Post »