I have to jump in here in defense of falafel and tahina because those are two of my favorite foods in the whole world. My dad grew up in Israel, so therefore I grew up eating falafel, salad, and tahina in pita.

First of all, tahina needs garlic. Tahina with just lemon and water isn't tahina. You need the raw garlic and sometimes a sprinkling of salt. The garlic, as stinky and ethnic as it may be, is essential.

Second of all, of all the things you can deep-fry, falafel absorb pretty much the least amount of grease. You can actually reuse falafel oil, and it tastes better the second time around because it's been seasoned.

When you make falafel to be deep-fried, don't use canned chickpeas. Soak dried chickpeas overnight and run them through a meat grinder when you make them. The difference in flavor is immense. I know you wouldn't think so, but take my word for it. I'm going to write about falafel on my blog at some point after I do candidacy, but I had to jump in! Sorry. ;)

(And 2 cloves of onion should be 2 cloves of garlic, no?)

i'm all for authenticity, but what's wrong with finding new ways to make things? baking is certainly way less messy than deep frying at home -- who's gonna do that on a tuesday? i think this looks really good. thanks for the recipe, kim!

Mmmm, falafel. Wait, what was that emerging from inside Kim, a falafel monster?

I love the "Cooking with Kim" segments, and the recipes are really good. I know this isn't the traditional falafel recipe, but it sure sounds like a good one.

That episode was faloffal…. I kid, I kid.
Truly superb show.

Kim have you ever wondered if some of those guys are fakes just dressing up in sailor costumes during Fleet Week, total imposters tricking innocent sweet girls? On a totally unrelated subject anyone know what time that costume shop on main closes?

my uncle was in the navy Ticonderoga

i guess the parents of the big boy with autism have to sit on him to calm him down during Mass. They say sitting on him calms him down. hmm. seems like this family is used to more disruption than many families because they have been dealing with this child with special needs for years, while others have less patience for disruptive behavior. I hear he almost knocked an old lady over running her down...it is quite a crazy situation... i think most every alternative has been tried. The boy is almost six feet tall. It is an unmanagable situation - i would suggests building a both for him of some kind at the church, but he may not be comfortable or happy in it. I don't think it is fair for the whole congregation to have to be upset/disturbed by a disorderly person - no matter what the reason. I think every effort to include this boy and family should be made, but some kind of reasonable accomodations may be necessary to keep the peace and allow the majority of people to focus on the Mass/service. People with disruptive children otherwise usually go to the sound proof room or step out for a bit until the child calms down. I recommend that this boy gets prayed over for healing. I think the family goes to a different church sometimes, but I agree that they shouldn't 'have' to. i am getting on a soapbox here, i know, but I've worked with a couple of autism spectrum boys and one of them is getting taller/bigger... it isn't easy to manage someone who is as big and disruptive as the boy in this news story.

p.s. not that this is any excuse whatsoever, but the percentage of sexual criminals among priests I hear is a lot lower than the general population. the duration of the offenses (going on for years, not being dealt with properly) is particularly scandalous. a lot of things didn't get dealt with very well years ago. some things just weren't even discussed and there was a lot of blame/shame garbage going on on a lot of levels in a lot of places across the board - not just in the church. I speak from experience on this.

okay back to the job at hand...lightening up! (no pun intended, but it is pretty good isn't it?)

nice outfits and good to see you making something you enjoy eating. it sounds fabulous! I agree with grinding things just before using them (uh is this having to do with a dance floor?) :P

some kickin dance/workout music

w/charlie brown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnYw-OuCnI&NR=1

the real thing:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XvIw5ZqC1ms

Risen Lord Jesus' Peace!
e.t./sue >> *:D (: +

Great recipe Kim! I'm Arabic and falafel and Arabs go hand-in-hand being that they created it so I love to eat falafel quite regularly! It also makes for a nutritious and filling breakfast along with pita bread, olive oil, labne (Arabic yogurt) and za'atar (sour spice mixed with sesame seeds).

Thanks!