Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

 

Stuff the crispy, high-protein chickpea patties into a pita filled with lettuce, tomatoes and olives.  Top it off with our tzatziki sauce, and you have a nutritious meal that will keep you going the distance.

 

Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

16 oz. dried chickpeas, soaked overnight

2 cups chopped onion

6 Tbsp. minced garlic

¼ cup chopped cilantro

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

Ground black pepper, to taste

Olive oil (for frying), as needed

5 each 6 ½ pita breads

5 leaves romaine lettuce, torn in half

2 plum tomatoes, sliced and cut in half

¼ cup nicoise olives, sliced

Tzatziki sauce

Drain the chickpeas, then puree in a food processor until smooth.  Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Stir in the onion, garlic, cilantro, salt, coriander, cumin and pepper.

Divide an shape the mixture to form 40 patties (1 3/4 inch by ½ inch).  Fill a skillet with olive oil to a depth of ½ inch, and heat to 350 F.  Working in batches, fry the patties until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 2 minutes on each side.  Drain on absorbent paper towels.

Heat the pitas and slice in half to form a pocket.

To assemble, place lettuce, tomato and olives in a pita half, along with falafel patties and tzatziki sauce.

Serve on a heated platter.             10 serving (4 patties per serving)

 

Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki Sauce

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

½ cup sour cream

½ cup peeled, grated cucumber, squeezed dry

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. chopped mint leaves or fresh dill

Juice on ½ lemon

1 tsp. lemon zest

Salt, as needed

Freshly ground black pepper, as needed

Combine the yogurt, sour cream, cucumber and garlic in food processor and puree until smooth.  Transfer to a bowl and fold in the olive oil, mint or dill, lemon juice and lemon zest.  Stir until combined and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Keep refrigerated.               1 ¼ cups

 

(Recipe for Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce came from the USA Weekend, January 31- February 2, 2014)

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Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert

Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert

Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert

Using fat-free cheese and yogurt plus light dessert topping help keep this chilled fruit dessert recipe low in calories, carbs and fat.

 

Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert Recipe

Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert

1   (8 oz.)  package fat-free cream cheese, softened

2   (6 oz.)  peach fat-free yogurt with artificial sweetener

½  (8 oz.)  container frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed

1 cup chopped, peeled fresh peaches; frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed, drained, and chopped;

Or

1 (8 ¼ oz.) can peach slices (juice pack), drained and chopped

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries, thawed, drained if frozen

Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Fresh berries (optional)

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and yogurt.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Fold in the whipped topping, peaches, and the 1 cup berries.

Pour into a 2 quart square baking dish.  Cover and freeze about 8 hours or until firm.

To serve, let stand at room temperature about 45 minutes to thaw slightly.  Cut into squares.  If desired, garnish with mint leaves and additional berries.           9 servings

 

(Recipe for Peach-Berry Frozen Dessert was in Diabetic Living Online)

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