Falafel Pitas

Courtesy Family Fun Magazine, February 2007

1 c. dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 T. lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 c. fresh curly parsley, stems removed, tightly packed
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. coriander
1/2 baking soda dissolved in 1/4 c. water
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
pinch of cayenne
vegetable oil for frying

Rinse the chickpeas, then soak them in a medium-sized bowl in several inches of water overnight in the refrigerator. (The patties won't hold together as well if you use canned chickpeas.)
Drain the soaked chickpeas and place them in a food processor. Add all the remaining ingredients and blend, scraping the sides if necessary, until the mixture is creamy, about 1 minute total.
Heat an inch of oil in a large, heavy frying pan to 375 (a spoonful of the mixture should sizzle as soon as it's immersed). Scoop up a heaping dinner tablespoon of the falafel mixture and gently place it in the heated oil. Place 4 or 5 more spoonfuls in the pan. Fry the patties until they're thoroughly brown on one side, about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them to brown the other side.
Drain the patties on a plate covered with a paper towel and sprinkle with additional salt, if desired. Serve with yogurt dipping sauce. Makes 16 to 20 patties.

Yogurt Dipping Sauce

6 ounce container of plain yogurt
3 T. water
1 T. finely chopped fresh curly parsley
1 t. lemon juice
1/4 t. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and water. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Makes 1 cup.

Spread 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt sauce into pita, spread around. Serve falafel patties in a pita with tomato and lettuce.