Fully Loaded Baked Falafel Pita Recipe
Fully Loaded Baked Falafel Pita

Fully Loaded Baked Falafel Pita Recipe

5 from 1 reviews
Fully Loaded Baked Falafel Pita
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Ready for the ultimate falafel pita (with no messy frying)? These vegan pita pockets boast crunchy, zingy quick-pickled radishes, a fresh tomato-parsley salad, roasted garlic hummus, tahini sauce, crisp butter lettuce, and baked falafel that is crunchy on the outside and soft and savory on the inside. I love making extra of all the accompaniments to serve with other meals throughout the week (like Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potatoes!) Don't be intimidated by the ingredients list — this meal comes together so quickly with just a few pulses of the food processor!
Serves: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
Baked Falafel Ingredients:
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper
Tomato-Parsley Salad Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
Tahini Sauce Ingredients:
  • 1 cup tahini
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (plus more to taste)
  • heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 cup lukewarm water, or more for consistency
Other Pita Ingredients:
  • pita bread
  • roasted garlic hummus
  • butter lettuce
  • quick-pickled radishes
Instructions
  1. Make the falafel: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until well combined, scraping the sides every now and then. Form the mixture into patties that are about 1 1/2-inch in diameter and about 1-inch thick and place them on prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, gently turning once halfway through. While they bake, prepare the other items.
  2. Make the tomato-parsley salad: Mix the tomatoes, parsley, and lemon juice together and set in the fridge to marinate.
  3. Make the tahini sauce: Place all ingredients except water in the food processor and process until smooth. Add the water to reach the consistency you desire (a liquidy sauce is ideal for drizzling over pita pockets.) Taste and add more salt or lemon juice if needed. Set this aside.
  4. Assemble the pockets: Split the pitas in half and open the pocket. Smear the inside of the pocket with roasted garlic hummus and line with butter lettuce. Fill with two falafel, several pickled radish slices, a scoop of tomato-parsley salad, and a heavy drizzle of tahini sauce. Serve immediately.

 

16 Comments on Fully Loaded Baked Falafel Pita (vegan) and Anti-Racism for White People (Post 2)

  1. ro
    August 3, 2015 at 1:27 am (9 years ago)

    I’m a POC and I love that you’re doing this series. It’s really excellent to read and see, and I appreciate your humility, compassion and courage. I appreciate you, Julie.

    I would like to share an article, actually. If I could attach it, I would. It’s an academic article, written by Camara Jones, who is an MD/PHD/MPH, and is a researcher on social determinants of health. I like this article because it’s not very jargony and is appropriate even for non-academics to read. It’s about differing levels of racism.

    It’s called “Levels of Racism: A Theoretic Framework and a Gardener’s Tale.” I believe you can access the pdf here: http://www.citymatch.org/sites/default/files/documents/bookpages/JonesGardenersTale.pdf

    Please let me know if you’d like to read it but can’t find it. I can send you the PDF. It’s only a few pages long but is one of the most influential works I’ve read in my entire academic career.

    Reply
    • Julie Ruble
      August 3, 2015 at 10:05 am (9 years ago)

      Thank you so much for your kind words and the article, Ro! I haven’t read this one yet and it looks really helpful. It also previews the next post (which discusses systemic vs. individual racism). And there’s an allegory/parable! My favorite! Thanks again.

      Reply
      • ro
        August 4, 2015 at 12:19 am (9 years ago)

        No problem. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on it, as it’s forming the basis on which my dissertation is focused. Feel free to email me if you like it (or not), I’d love to hear your thoughts!

        Reply
  2. Jenni
    August 3, 2015 at 10:58 am (9 years ago)

    I am so glad you are writing this series, Julie. I have only just come in on this, your second post, but I will go back and read the first and look for the rest to come.

    I remember when the riots were happening in Ferguson and a friend and neighbor was talking about not understanding why “they” were so angry and that “their” behavior was shameful. On one level, I could see her point, but on another deeper level, I had to say that it was absolutely impossible for white people to know what it feels like to be scrutinized and met with suspicion day in and day out. To be followed around in a store. To be ticketed “for being black.” You can only push that anger and frustration down inside for so long.

    Like a strong tea, we are steeped in the institutionalized racism in our country, and it takes a huge effort to see beyond that. And yes it’s uncomfortable, and yes it makes white people defensive and sweaty. But these are the conversations we must have if we are ever to recognize this racism, concede that it is unfair to say the least, and try to heal the raw wounds that have festered for centuries. Thank you for leading this one.

    Reply
  3. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
    August 3, 2015 at 11:09 am (9 years ago)

    I participated in a study abroad program in Jerusalem a number of years ago and the area is literally dotted with falafel shops. They’re as common there as fast food joints are here. I’ve been a huge fan ever since and yours looks absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  4. Kelley
    August 3, 2015 at 5:01 pm (9 years ago)

    I LOVE falafel, and love the fact these are baked, not fried! yummy!

    Reply
  5. Meg @ NomingthruLife
    August 3, 2015 at 9:22 pm (9 years ago)

    I don’t want you to think I’m dismissing your article on anti-racism, but I have to just get right to it… I’m in LOVE with these falafels 🙂 And that they are fully loaded… swoon *faint* 🙂

    Reply
  6. Thalia @ butter and brioche
    August 3, 2015 at 11:18 pm (9 years ago)

    How delicious. I love a good falafel.. especially when it’s accompanied by as much delicious sauce and in pita like this.

    Reply
  7. Linda
    August 4, 2015 at 12:20 am (9 years ago)

    I’ve only read your first sentence–I’m working tonight, but I have to tell you that we have something in common other than our love for cooking and baking. I also broke my arm skating when I was 8. I was in a roller rink and I was with my father who took me to a doctor immediately so I didn’t ask anyone for ice. Some coincidence, wouldn’t you say?

    Reply
    • Julie Ruble
      August 4, 2015 at 12:25 am (9 years ago)

      Yes, quite the coincidence! My dad took me to the doctor and saved the day as well 🙂 Post-ice, of course.

      Reply
  8. Christie
    August 4, 2015 at 7:03 am (9 years ago)

    I failed at falafel. This? This look fabulous!! I will have to try your recipe because mine just didn’t hold up.

    Reply
  9. Glen
    August 14, 2015 at 6:56 pm (9 years ago)

    Thank you for this series.
    We are so steeped in systemic racism and sexism that sometimes even those of us who like to think “we’re better than that” still do and say racist and sexist things. I can’t for the life of me remember what I said (obviously something I took for granted as a white person), but I will always remember the look on my Asian husband’s face when he responded “uhm, honey, I’m not Caucasian….” And I know I felt like Such. An. Idiot. So I keep stretching to be a better person. It’s up to each of us, in our shared humanity, to discover and acknowledge our (deeply) unconscious biases and work hard to eradicate their effects on others.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth B.
    August 16, 2015 at 5:13 pm (9 years ago)

    Thank you for starting this discussion. I am still trying to figure out how to handle a situation that came up for me earlier this week. A representative of a national retailer was at my family home giving me an estimate on work to be done. When I made a comment about their appointment scheduler not knowing how to pronounce the unfamiliar place names in our address, he asked if she had a “really dark tan.” I was stunned and speechless…and I’m sorry to say that I did nothing in the moment. I’m not going to let this go by unnoticed (and I will be in communication with his home office). I was so surprised that someone so casually said this to someone whom he had never met before. Because a comment like this is just the tip of the iceberg of what his true feelings may be.

    Reply
    • Julie Ruble
      August 16, 2015 at 5:18 pm (9 years ago)

      Oh dear. I’m glad you’re thinking of being in touch — I hope that his employer takes this opportunity to provide quality diversity training. So much diversity training is throwaway stuff, but I’m hoping that businesses are realizing the absolutely critical role diversity plays in their practices in a global economy.

      Reply
  11. lindsay
    August 21, 2015 at 11:20 am (9 years ago)

    thanks so much for writing about this. i’ve been shocked by how many of the white lifestyle/food/style bloggers i follow have remained entirely silent on race lately. even if it’s not your blog’s “topic”, if you have a platform from which to spread awareness, i think you’re obligated to do so, even if it’s just sharing a few links (ideally to articles by writers of color). so thanks for stepping up to the plate.

    Reply

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