Help with side dish for Bike Club potluck

[SouthernBelle]

What is flafel???

Just page up to smilingcat's post and there is the recipe.

[smilingcat]

Flafal is a middle-eastern dish made out of chick peas aka garbonzo beans.

It is vegan!!somewhat spicy not hot, just interesting spices and though totally non-meat, its very filling. Its sort of like a vegan version of meat balls without the meat and no tomato sauce (or creme sauce for that matter). I think Trader Joe has a mix in a box for sale. So check it out, it may have a picture on the box.

The other question, can you freeze it. I would imagnie you could do to its low moisture content. Having said that I think it would be better baked first then frozen. Mine never lasted long enough to be frozen. I put the left overs in a zip lock bag, then it disappears? Usually in a salad. yummo

[uforgot]

I have never heard of Tabouli. What is it?

[surgtech1956]

What is flafel by in the grocery store?

[surgtech1956]

You make the flafel according to the directions on the box or is that the recipe smilingcat posted? You use flafel like cheese, meat - on salads, on a sandwich as the main ingredient, in place of a hamburg? thanks

[KnottedYet]

Tabouli and Falafel are both mid-eastern foods. I can usually find mixes for either in with the ethnic food or pre-packaged rice mixes in the store.

There are a kajillion recipes for each, as simple or as complicated as you like.

I used to darn near live off tabouli, made it by "feel" after a while. the basic idea is a softened grain (bulgar wheat or quinoa or brown rice all work for me) that isn't so cooked it's mushy or clinging together. Add olive oil and lemon juice in about equal parts until it's a little saucy. Add garlic and salt. (LOTS of garlic in mine!!) When it tastes so good you have to restrain yourself from eating it right up (generally after adding about 6 or 8 cloves of garlic for me!) it's time to add chopped fresh parsely and chopped tomatoes and green onions. And whatever else strikes your fancy. Cilantro... mmmm.

I usually end up with as much fresh vege as grain. (and maybe my vege mix is about 1/2 parsley, 1/4 tomatoes, 1/4 green onion)

[smilingcat]

You make the flafel according to the directions on the box or is that the recipe smilingcat posted? You use flafel like cheese, meat - on salads, on a sandwich as the main ingredient, in place of a hamburg? thanks

you can follow the instruction on the side of the box or follow my recipe. The best way to think of it is that it looks much like a vegan version of meat ball. And unlike a meatball, you can put it in a salad as you would with quartered boiled egg. Or you can make a sandwitch with pita bread, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and cucmber dill sauce. No ketchup, mayou or mustard needed.

Perhaps I'll make some take a photo and post the picture so you can get an idea. Too bad the photo can't be made odor-rama seriously ask one of the employees at TJ and they should be able to help you.

And don't feel bad about not knowing. I made tons of it for a pot luck at my office and I had a HECK OF A TIME to get the guys to eat it. Once they ate it all I could get out of them was pretty good. You know boys just can't admit that they were slightly mistaken.


And Tabouli is really delicious too. I like mine on the puckery side

Shawn

[Raindrop]

I just got a great way to make potatos from one of my PT clients. It only needs to be refrigerated if you are storing it overnight, but you can take it anywhere without refrigeration:

5 lbs of new potatoes
cook at 350 degrees for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours

Then cut into bite size chunks, and mix with:

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons of kosher salt
8 cloves of minced garlic
pepper to taste
and two bunches of mint, finely chopped.

I have to admit that the mint threw me off, but the mixture of tastes are amazing!!!