Shami Falafel – Recipe for Shami Falafel – How to Prepare Shami Falafel

Shami Falafel – Recipe for Shami Falafel – How to Prepare Shami Falafel

Shami falafel is one of the most famous dishes across the Arab world. It’s known as "Ta’amiya" in Egypt and Sudan and "Bajiya" in Yemen. It can be a main dish, often served for lunch, or a popular street food or snack. The origins of Shami falafel can be traced back to Egypt, and the word “falafel” refers to the sandwich made using falafel balls.

Falafel is made from dried legumes, such as chickpeas or fava beans, which are soaked, ground, mixed with spices, shaped, and deep-fried into delicious patties. In Egypt, falafel is typically made with fava beans, while in the Levant and Sudan, it’s primarily made from chickpeas, or a combination of both. Falafel is often shaped using a brass mold, especially in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, making it a versatile dish that is enjoyed globally by vegetarians as a plant-based protein alternative.

Each falafel ball, weighing about 150 grams, provides around 288 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, and 41 grams of carbohydrates (without including the frying oil). The recipe below takes about 30 minutes to prepare and 3.5 hours to cook, serving about 10 people.

Ingredients for Shami Falafel:

 

• 2 cups dried chickpeas
• 2 cups dried peeled fava beans
• 2 large onions
• 1 whole head of garlic
• 1 chili pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried coriander
• 2 tablespoons falafel spice mix
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Salt to taste
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Corn oil for frying

How to Prepare Shami Falafel:

1. Soak the Legumes: Begin by soaking the dried chickpeas and fava beans in water overnight. The next day, drain and rinse them thoroughly with water.

2. Grind the Ingredients: In a blender or food processor, grind the chickpeas and fava beans until smooth. Transfer the ground mixture into a large bowl.

3. Prepare the Mixture: Finely chop the onions and garlic, then add them to the ground chickpeas and fava beans. Add the chili pepper, salt, dried coriander, and falafel spice mix. Mix everything together until well combined.

4. Let the Mixture Rest: Allow the mixture to rest for about 3 hours to enhance the flavors.

5. Prepare for Frying: About 15 minutes before frying, add the baking soda to the mixture and mix well.

6. Shape the Falafel: Using a brass mold or spoons, shape the falafel mixture into round patties or oval shapes. If desired, dip the surface of each falafel patty in sesame seeds.

7. Fry the Falafel: Heat corn oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Fry the falafel patties in batches, flipping them occasionally, until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the falafel from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain the excess oil.

8. Serve: Serve the hot falafel on a platter, garnished with fresh mint, pickles, tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers. Alternatively, you can wrap the falafel in Arabic bread with tahini sauce, pickles, and fresh vegetables to make a delicious sandwich.

Enjoy your homemade Shami falafel, a beloved Middle Eastern dish!