Goat Cheese Falafel Pitas Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook until al dente according to the package instructions, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot and saute until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the half-and-half and whisk in the goat cheese until smooth and warm. Season with pepper. Add the lemon zest and juice and half of the reserved pasta water and whisk until combined. Add half of the parsley, dill, mint and chives.
• Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet and cook until the sauce starts to thicken, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add 1/2 cup of the Pecorino Romano and stir to combine. Adjust the consistency of the sauce with the remaining pasta water if needed. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
• Divide the pasta among bowls and garnish with the remaining Pecorino Romano, parsley, dill, mint and chives.

Steps:

• Falafel: sort and wash chickpeas, and place in a large bowl. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand 8 hours or overnight. Drain.
• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Combine chickpeas and next 11 ingredients (through 2 chopped garlic cloves) in a food processor; pulse 8 to 10 times or until finely chopped. Spoon mixture into a bowl. Add egg whites to chickpea mixture, and stir well. Let stand 15 minutes. Divide mixture into 16 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Place patties on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350º for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Relish: combine tomato and next 5 ingredients (through chile).
• Sauce: combine yogurt, goat cheese, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 minced garlic clove, stirring with a whisk until smooth.
• Place 2 falafel patties in each pita half; spoon about 1/3 cup relish and 2 1/2 tablespoons sauce into each pita half. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Turn the grill/broiler to medium.
• Tip the chickpeas into a food processor or blender with the onion, carrots, garlic, cilantro, cumin, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
• Whizz briefly so that you retain some of the chunky texture to the chickpeas.
• Using your hands, shape the mixture into six burgers.
• Brush both sides of each burger with a little oil.
• Carefully place the burgers on to a grill/broiler pan lined with foil and grill/broil for 5 minutes on each side.
• Meanwhile, toast the pita breads and tear the lettuce into strips.
• Stuff the hot burgers into the pita breads.
• Add a small handful of torn lettuce and a few slices of cucumber.
• Serve drizzled with a spoonful of yogurt, if you wish.