| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 550 | 22g | 3g | 70g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 12g | 20g | 1.5g |
Why I Love Saudi Arabian Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce
The delightful aroma of the Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce immediately takes me back to my grandfather’s kitchen in New Jersey where I first encountered Middle Eastern cuisine. Gently spiced and deeply satisfying, the dish showcases the culinary prowess of Saudi Arabian food in all its glory.
Italian-American meets Saudi Arabian
As an Italian-American, my heart often leans towards rich, creamy pastas and mouth-watering meatballs. However, my foray into foods of the Middle East has captivated my palate in a way I never anticipated. The Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce is one such dish. This love child of a classic falafel and an American burger is wonderfully crisp, packed with flavors, and topped off with a generously delicious tahini sauce – an utterly addictive twist that ties it all together.
Food, for me, is not just about satisfying hunger or pleasing taste buds, but it’s about experiencing flavors, textures and ingredients that tell a story. My inspiration for this recipe came from Chef Yotam Ottolenghi, who is renowned for his Middle Eastern cuisine. His Falafel recipe strikes a perfect balance between the traditional Saudi Arabian flavors and his unique culinary innovations. In my kitchen, I strive to capture the same spirit.
Coupling Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce
This Falafel Burger pairs perfectly with pickles and a fresh cucumber salad, served on the side to add some crunch. But if you’re like my grandkids who can never have enough of sauces, this is the perfect dish to experiment. A splash of hot sauce or a dollop of garlicky yogurt works like magic to elevate the flavor profile.
It’s dishes like these that widen the realm of my cooking perception, fuel my passion for experimenting, and satiate my undying love for food. After all, what’s more satisfying than crossing boundaries to bring eclectic flavors to my kitchen and onto my family’s table? Whether it’s Sunday’s lasagna or this Saudi Arabian Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce, every meal represents a piece of who I am. Every bite is a tangible connection to my heritage, my experiences, and my endeavors in the culinary world.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups dried chickpeas
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs or bulgur wheat
- 1 cup sesame seeds, for coating
- Safflower oil, for frying
- 6 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- Lettuce leaves
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- For the Tahini Sauce:
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped
Method
Step One
Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with enough water to allow them to swell up to double their size. Let them soak overnight, then drain and rinse them.
Step Two
In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper and cumin. Process until it turns into a rough paste.
Step Three
Transfer the mixture into a bowl. Sprinkle in the baking powder and breadcrumbs or bulgur wheat. Mix until it is well combined and can be shaped into patties. If the mixture is too wet, you can add more breadcrumbs. Divide the mixture into 6 equal parts and form them into patties.
Step Four
Spread the sesame seeds on a plate, then press both sides of the patties into the seeds to coat them.
Step Five
Heat the Safflower oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side.
Step Six
While the patties are cooking, you can prepare the Tahini Sauce. In a small bowl, combine the tahini, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice and parsley. Stir until it is smooth.
Step Seven
Serve the burgers on the sesame seed hamburger buns, with lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions. Top them with the Tahini Sauce.
