Fake Falafel

For a long time, I've felt that I simply could not give you this recipe. You see, despite my utter adoration for the movie Party Girl in which a crazy club going Parker Posey falls for a falafel vendor, I have never actually eaten real falafel. So how can I possibly rave about this recipe when I don't know what the original is supposed to taste like? It feels wrong. This is delicious stuff however, and I figured you could decide for yourself.

FAKE FALAFEL
courtesy of Sara Moulton

INGREDIENTS
1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 t cayenne (I use a smidge more)
1 t cumin
1/2 t coriander (I always skip this)
3 T flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 egg (lightly beaten)
panko bread crumbs
4-5 T olive oil
salt and pepper

tahini sauce (bought from store)
lettuce, cucumber, tomato - whatever you'd like to garnish
pita bread

DIRECTIONS
In a large frying pan, heat up a tablespoon of the oil and add the onions. Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat until the onions are golden and soft. While this is cooking, take a 1/4 C of the canned chickpeas and use a food processor to blend them very coarsely. Add the garlic, cayenne, cumin and coriander. Cook for 2 more minutes. Remove to a large bowl and add the blended chickpeas. Wipe out the pan because you'll use it again in a few minutes. Put the remaining chickpeas in the food processor and grind them into a fine meal. Add this to the onion/chickpea mixture. Add about 1 t salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Add the flour, baking soda and egg and mix well with a fork. Form into 4 patties. Coat each patty with the panko. Add another tablespoon or so of oil to the pan and increase the heat to medium high. Cook the patties for 6-8 minutes on each side, until warmed through and crust is crispy. You can add oil halfway through if needed. When done, place patty into pita bread and garnish with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a drizzle of tahini.