How to make delicious harissa falafels with spiced beetroot, kefir dressing and pittas

The classic street food, this take on falafel uses beetroot and kefir as alternatives to tomato and yoghurt.

(riverford.co.uk)

Harissa falafels with spiced beetroot, kefir dressing and pittas

Serves 2

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

1 lemon
2 garlic cloves
30g parsley
100g rocket
1 tin chickpeas
1 tbsp harissa
2 tsp cumin
2 tbsp wholemeal flour
1 large or 2 smaller shallots
2 beetroots
1 apple
½ tsp allspice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp tahini
250ml kefir
Olive oil
4 pitta breads
Salt and pepper

Zest and juice the lemon. Peel and finely chop or crush the garlic. Wash the parsley, shake it dry, remove the leaves and chop them finely. Wash the rocket and spin, shake or pat it dry. Drain the chickpeas and add them to the bowl of a food processor with the harissa, cumin, flour, half the lemon zest, half the chopped garlic and half the chopped parsley.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper and blend until combined but still fairly coarse. Alternatively, you can finely chop the chickpeas on a board with a large knife and mix with the other ingredients in a bowl, pressing and squeezing with your hands until well combined. Shape the falafel mix into 8 equal-sized balls. Press each ball down to form a slightly flattened burger shape. Leave to one side. Peel the shallot and slice it very finely.

Wash and peel the beetroots, grate them coarsely. Wash the apple and grate that into the beetroot, skin and all (discard the core). Add the sliced shallots, allspice and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the beetroot. Season well with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Make the dressing by whisking together the mustard, tahini and kefir. Add the remaining parsley, lemon zest and garlic, season to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 200C/gas 6. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the frying pan and fry the falafels for 2-3 minutes a side, until golden. Place them on the baking tray with the pitta breads and pop in the oven for 5 minutes for everything to heat through. Slice open the pittas and wedge a couple of falafels, some rocket, dressing and a little beetroot into each and serve hot. Eat the remaining rocket and beetroot as a side.

Cooks’ notes

Lightly crush garlic cloves with the flat of a knife to loosen the skin and make them easier to peel.

Recipe from Riverford Organic Farmers