Baked falafel & cauliflower tabbouleh

2 of 5-a-day easy falafel fibre fit c folate gluten free healthy iron low calorie vegan vegetarian

N/A

Source

Ingredients

3 x 400g cans chickpeas , drained (or 250g dried chickpeas, soaked in 1 litre cold water overnight, then drained)

3 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 red onion , quartered

3 garlic cloves

2 tbsp sesame seeds

1 ½ tsp baking powder (gluten-free, if you like)

2 small packs parsley , stalks and leaves separated, leaves chopped

4 tbsp olive oil

1 cauliflower , cut into large florets

1 small pack mint , leaves chopped and stalks discarded

1 lemon , juiced

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Tip the chickpeas, 2 tsp of the ground cumin, 1 tsp of the ground coriander, the cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, sesame seeds, baking powder, parsley stalks and 1 tbsp water into a food processor. Blitz until combined but not smooth (you want the falafel to have some texture, rather than being the consistency of hummus). Season to taste, then roll into 18 evenly sized balls. Flatten each ball into a disc shape and arrange on the baking sheets, then brush the tops with 1 tbsp of the oil. Bake for 20 mins until golden and crisp, turning halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, clean out the food processor, then tip in the cauliflower and briefly pulse until it resembles couscous. Mix the cauliflower couscous with the remaining ground spices and olive oil, then add some seasoning. Tip onto a roasting tray and roast for 10-12 mins until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool, then mix through the parsley leaves, mint leaves and lemon juice. Season to taste. Will keep for three days in the fridge. Serve the baked falafel with the cauliflower tabbouleh and some salad, if you like.