Falafel Pitas

Menu was Falafel Pitas with toppings, Fresh Fruit, and Pita Chips.  For you that don't eat Falafel on a regular basis, it's a mix of ground garbanzo beans, peas and seasoning that's usually fried.  It comes as little meat(less)ball or as a small patty.  They have kind of a dry consistency, so that's why it is usually served with the cucumber sauce (Tzatziki). If you've never tried it, go to your favorite pita place (Pita Pit in Ames) and order what you normally order.  Then just purchase a Falafel ball on the side (for about $0.40) just to try.  Or ask me and I'll make it for you sometime.

I used a package of Falafel mix and made it according to the directions.  The most time consuming effort of the meal was letting the falafel mix sit for 15 minutes to absorb all the water.  Easily a 20 minute meal, which was good because we went on a very long walk last night and ended up starting dinner about an hour later than normal.  Lovin' this weather!!



We used lettuce, tomato, red and yellow pepper slices, green onion and hummus.  We also had ripe black olive, Kalamata olives and peperoncinis.  I made a vegan version of Tzatziki sauce by putting olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, cucumber and dill in the food processor with Tofutti sour cream (as opposed to yogurt).  I seasoned with a decent amount of salt and pepper.  (I'm not a big fan of Tofutti as is, but when mixed with all that flavor, you can't tell a difference at all.) 

The boys made their pitas up like sandwiches/tacos and ate them with their hands.  Gracie and I are more sophisticated, so we piled ours up like salads and had warmed pitas on the side.  I put ranch dressing on hers, but just used the Tzatziki on mine as the dressing.  It has HUGE flavor with the Falafel, Tzatziki, and all those toppings.

I think I'm the only person who truly loves Falafel, but everyone else ate it without too much complaining.  This pita recipe is one I've used for years and just added feta cheese and grilled chicken (seasoned with Cavender's Greek Seasoning).  Always been a big hit.  Even if you use meat, it's still a very healthy meal.  It makes a good buffet style sandwich for get-togethers with friends.

Happy Eating!