Mediterranean Lentil “Falafel” Bowl
Yield: Two Bowls
Credit:
©2019 By Sapana Chandra. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Plant Power Bowls by permission of Sasquatch Books.
Ingredients
Falafel
- 2 cups cooked brown lentils or chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil, plus more for frying 1⁄4 cup diced yellow onion
- 1⁄4 cup raw walnuts
- 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander (optional) 1⁄4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Serving
- 2 handfuls roughly chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup hummus
- 1⁄4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1⁄4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1⁄2 cup Cashew Tzatziki (recipe follows)
Cashew Tzaziki
Makes about 1⁄2 cup
- 1⁄4 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1⁄4 cup diced cucumber
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh dill 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
The Bowl
- Prepare the falafel. In a food processor, combine the lentils, oil, yellow onion, walnuts, parsley, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Process until the ingredients are combined and crumbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Form into 11⁄2-inch balls. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Cook the falafel in batches, without crowding them, for 5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Assemble each bowl with half of the lettuce, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, hummus, red onion, and cilantro. Add the falafel and drizzle with the tzatziki.
Cashew Tzatziki
- Rinse and drain the cashews. In a blender or food processor, combine the cashews, cucumber, water, lemon juice, tahini, dill, garlic, and salt. Blend on high for about 1 minute, until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if desired.
Recipe Note
About the Author
Sapana Chandra is a plant-based professional cook, digital media influencer, and holistic health coach. After a successful 13-year corporate career in technology and product management, Sapana launched Real + Vibrant in 2016 after healing herself from chronic illness. Real + Vibrant is a growing healthy lifestyle business where Sapana teaches her audience how to cook simple, delicious, mostly plant-based meals.
