As I am growing older I am starting to realize that the only way to be successful is to start with your health. I have always been interested in trying new things and having a spontaneous lifestyle. However, it can be a great struggle to try and stay healthy and fit, which is why I would love to create a blog for newbies with this kind of stuff- just like me! Over the past couple of years I have been looking into chef training as a career choice. (I will get there, eventually $.)
So I would like to share my ideas with all of you out there and am so excited to get started on this wonderful journey with all of you. I will share more about myself later, now I will get to the good stuff- FOOD. Food is probably my favourite thing in life. I will share all of the recipes I have discovered over the years, and ones that I haven't even tried yet but WOULD like to try. I also have a recipe tin with lots of old recipes from my great grandma. Enjoy everyone!!
First thing is first: Vegetarian Falafel Pita Pockets . Level of difficulty: Easy.
So I haven't even made falafels before, but I love them so so much. Mediterranean food is one of my favourite ethnic food categories, and this recipe won my heart over, with creamy low fat tzatziki and fresh vegetables and spices. It's also super easy to pack for lunch to take to work,so if you work in a bakery like I do, no need to eat the unhealthy crap! Here is the recipe, and a picture I found on the internet. (Since I don't own a camera yet .)
That looks really good. I kind of want to eat it right now.
Fresh ingredients to top it with:
-1 half red bell pepper, sliced into strips
-1 green onion finely chopped
-2 leaves of romaine lettuce shredded
Falafel Ingredients:
-1 Can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
-1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley & cilantro
-2 Green onions
-2 cloves minced garlic
-1 tsp ground cumin
-2 tbsp flour (can use almond flour if GF)
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp or less of salt
-1 tbsp vegetable oil
Combine above ingredients in a food processor until a grainy texture, like bread crumbs. Form into small patties, can use a large spoon to help form a small patty. Set aside on a plate.
Tzatziki Ingredients:
-1/2 cucumber, grated
-1 pinch of salt
-1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt nonfat
-Juice of one lemon
-Fresh chopped mint leaves (if you wish to put mint in it!)
-2-3 garlic cloves roasted in the oven in tinfoil then you can squeeze em out after.
Directions: Place the grated cucumber on a paper towel with the pinch of salt and let sit.
Combine the yogurt, lemon juice , garlic and mint leaves in a bowl and mix together.
Squeeze the grated cucumber in the paper towel over the sink to get all of the juices out, then dump into the yogurt mixture and stir it up! Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
Cooking your falafels:
Heat a medium skillet over medium to high heat and add the tbsp of oil.
Place patties in the pan, and cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy looking. When done with these, place on a paper towel to soak up any extra oils.
To serve: Cut your pitas in half, slab on some of that chilled tzatziki sauce inside, Put fresh lettuce in, sliced red bell pepper and fresh green onions to top your falafels. If you don't have WW or regular pitas, you can make this as a salad as well, with romaine hearts and you can also break up the falafels and drizzle the tzatziki on top!
Yum!!! Hope you enjoy this recipe!!
