Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce recipe

Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce recipe

Inspiration
1 small red onion
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice, divided
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained, rinsed
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup chopped parsley, divided
5 tablespoons chickpea flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided, plus more for pan
4 pita breads
1/2 cup tahini
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 375°F. Thinly slice one-third of onion. Toss slices with 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4
cup vinegar, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl; set aside.
Pulse chickpeas, garlic, coriander, cumin, 3/4 cup parsley, 1 tsp. salt, and remaining onion in a
food processor until very coarsely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add flour and baking powder and
pulse a few more times to combine.
Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, portion out 12 ping pong-sized
balls and place on sheet, spacing 1" apart. Gently press down on tops to flatten slightly. Brush tops
with 1 Tbsp. oil. Bake falafel, turning balls halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 20–25
minutes. Wrap pitas in foil and warm in oven during last 5 minutes of baking.

Meanwhile, whisk 1/4 cup oil and remaining 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon orange juice, 2 tsp. vinegar,
and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in tahini and 1/4 cup water until a smooth sauce forms.
Whisk 2 Tbsp. pickling liquid from reserved onions with remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in another medium
bowl. 

Add cabbage, tomatoes, and onions and toss to coat.
Cut each pita into 4 pieces. Drizzle falafel with 2 Tbsp. tahini sauce and top with remaining 1/4 cup
parsley. Serve with pita, hummus, salad, and remaining tahini sauce alongside.
Do Ahead
Falafel can be made 5 days ahead; store in an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 1 month.