Chickpea patties with Mediterranean salad

We're not vegetarians anymore, but sometimes we still like a light, yet filling, meat-free dinner. We got this idea from Real Simple (where else?) and love the lower-fat twist on falafel. The chickpeas have a faux meaty texture and the yogurt-lemon dressing makes them sing.

Rating: Truly 1/2 assed (simple, but not ridiculously so)

Here's what you need and how you do it

2 15.5-ounce cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed

1-2 eggs

1 cup fresh, flat-leaf parsley

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper

4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 Tablespoons olive oil, plus some for frying

1 cup low-fat yogurt (preferably greek)

6 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

8 cups mixed greens

1 cup grape tomatoes

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Pita chips (optional)

In a food processor, pulse chickpeas, eggs, parsley, garlic, cumin, 2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. When coarsely chopped and the mixture comes together when gently squeezed. Form into 6 to 8 half-inch thick patties and coat with flour, tapping off excess.

Heat oil in nonstick skillet (very important that it be nonstick) over medium high heat. Cook the patties, turning carefully, until golden brown.

In a small bowl whisk yogurt, lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Divide the greens, tomatoes, onion and chickpea patties among plates. Drizzle with the dressing and serve with pita chips.

If the patties crumble a bit, just spread them out over the salad. The combination is delicious.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.

Comments

[Kristy]

So wait, why is this not falafel?

[Half Assed Kitchen]

Well, truth is, it's really close. Falafel is typically made with chickpeas AND fava beans. I guess I also think of falafel as being more deep fried.

[Deirdre]

I loved this, but I didn't read the recipe too closely (I'm quite 1/2 assed myself), so I wound up with too much moisture (I put both eggs in although I used one 24 oz can of chickpeas). This I solved by adding to the mix the flour I was going to dredge the patties in (I used whole wheat though, becasue I'm finicky like that). Worked fine, even though I don't own a nonstick skillet. I just heated the skillet first, then added the oil, and my little patties didn't even try to stick to the pan. Yummy! I wrapped them in whole wheat lavash (warmed in the oven) with the salad and dressing.

[Cherine]

love this type of food. I will def. try those patties!

[generic viagra]

What does eating Activia Yogurt regulate our digestive system?
What is the difference between regular yogurt and Activia Yogurt? Also, how does yogurt regulate our digestive system? Yogurt is just milk, how does it help our body more than milk?

[Citmai]

We LOVE IT! It doesn’t stay aunord long at our house! I had a neighbor who used to make enough at one time to fill a whole trash can!