Falafel from Dried Garbanzo Beans

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried garbanzo beans (not canned)
• ½ small yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup packed parsley leaves
• ½ cup packed cilantro leaves
• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons flour, if needed
• Neutral oil, for frying

Method

1. Cover the dried beans with plenty of water and soak for 12 to 24 hours. They will double in size. Drain well and pat dry.
2. Pulse the beans, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and cayenne in a food processor, scraping down the sides, until the mixture looks like coarse sand and holds together when squeezed. Stop before it becomes a paste.
3. Stir in the baking powder. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. Shape into about 18 balls or small patties, 2 tablespoons each. If they will not hold, stir in the flour.
5. Heat 1 inch of oil in a heavy pan to 350°F. Fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until deep brown.
6. Drain on paper towels. Serve in pita with tahini sauce.