FALAFEL WAFFLE SANDWICH

Falafel Waffle Sandwich image

Provided by Eddie Jackson

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

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Ingredients

2 cups dry falafel mix
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Nonstick cooking spray, for the waffle maker
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 small Persian cucumber, grated
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the skillet
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado
One 10-ounce package chicken and quinoa meatballs, halved
1 small red onion, halved and thickly sliced
1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons
1/2 cup crumbled feta
8 cornichons or other small sour pickles, halved

Steps:

For the falafel waffles: Combine the falafel mix and baking powder in a medium bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, egg and 1 1/2 cups cold water in a separate bowl and stir into the falafel mix. Stir in the parsley and dill and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Preheat a waffle maker.
Spray the waffle maker with cooking spray. Spread a quarter of the batter almost to the edges of it, close and bake until the waffle is crisp, lightly browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Use the remaining batter to make 3 more waffles. Keep the waffles warm on a baking sheet in the oven.
For the sandwich fillings: To make the tzatziki, stir together the yogurt, parsley, dill, cucumber, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Mash the avocado in a separate small bowl with the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Brush the skillet lightly with olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook, tossing occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the onion and zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables are charred but still crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Remove to a separate plate.
To serve, break the waffles at their natural divisions. Sandwich the meatballs in the waffles with the charred vegetables, tzatziki, avocado, feta and pickles, making 8 small sandwiches. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.