WAFFLED FALAFEL

Waffled Falafel image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing waffle iron
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large egg whites
2 cloves garlic, halved
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
4 pita breads, halved
Chopped lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumbers, onions, pickles, pickled beets and hard-boiled eggs, for topping
1/4 cup store-bought hummus, thinned with water
Hot sauce, for serving

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (to keep cooked waffles warm).
Combine the oil, cilantro, flour, parsley, baking powder, cumin, salt, coriander, cayenne, egg whites, garlic and chickpeas in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
Lightly brush the top and bottom of the waffle iron with oil. Fill the waffle iron about three-quarters of the way full (some waffle iron should still be showing). Close the lid gently and cook until the falafel is golden brown and firm in the center, 6 to 10 minutes. Keep the cooked falafels warm in the oven or covered with foil on a plate while you make the remaining falafels.
To build the sandwiches, stuff each pita half with a falafel. Add your choice of toppings, drizzle with the hummus and sprinkle with a few dashes of hot sauce.