Smokin Chipotle Falafel Gyros Recipes

Steps:

• For the mushroom falafel: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut the mushrooms into large chunks and spread on a large, rimmed sheet tray. Toss with the olive oil and thyme. Roast, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and a majority of the liquid is evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, panko, parsley, cumin, cayenne, garlic, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cooled roasted mushrooms. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed (about 10 pulses), scraping down the sides of the food processor as necessary. Scoop 1/4-cup portions of the mushroom mixture and shape into 1/2-inch-thick patties.
• Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until evenly browned, 3 minutes per side. Season with salt to taste.
• For the lemony green beans: To a small bowl, add the tarragon, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon salt. Mix to combine, then set aside.
• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and generously season with salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, then immediately transfer the green beans to the ice water. When cool, drain well and slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
• Add the green beans to a bowl, toss with the olive oil and season to taste with the seasoned lemon salt; toss to coat. There will be leftover lemon salt.
• For the cucumber yogurt sauce: Stir together the cucumber, yogurt, sour cream, cumin, salt and garlic in a medium bowl.
• To assemble: Brush the pita with olive oil. Toast over an open flame or in a pan set over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 1 minute. Toss the cut tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Cut each pita in half, then stuff with the cucumber yogurt, 2 falafels, more cucumber yogurt, the lemony green beans and cherry tomatoes. Serve with more cucumber yogurt on the side if desired.

Steps:

• Before starting make sure that the chickpeas are well drained and dry. A salad spinner is a great way to eliminate excess water from the chickpeas before placing them on sheets of paper towels to dry or if you don't have a salad spinner, go ahead and place on several sheets of paper towels to dry.
• With the blade of a chef's knife, break open the cardamom pods and remove seeds. Place the cardamom seeds along with the cumin seeds in a small heavy skillet and toast just until fragrant. Put in a coffee grinder and grind or crush with a mortar and pestle.
• Add the chickpeas, garlic and chilies to a food processor and pulse several times until mixture is blended and smooth. To the processor add the onions, cilantro leaves, lemon juice, ground spices, baking powder, salt and pepper; pulse to combine. Shape the mixture into 8 small patties and flatten to 1 1/2 to 2 inch diameter.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, lightly oil a small baking sheet with olive oil, place prepared patties on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes per side.
• In a small dish, combine the ingredients for the yogurt sauce; set aside.
• Warm the pitas in the oven or over an open flame; to assemble, place 2 patties on each of the warmed pitas, spoon yogurt sauce over all and top with broccoli slaw; fold and enjoy!

Steps:

• Bring the broth to a simmer and add the chicken tenders, poach them for 6 to 7 minutes with a bay leaf.
• While the chicken poaches, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a medium soup pot or deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook it until crisp then remove it with a slotted spoon. Drain off the excess fat, leaving 2 to 3 tablespoons in the pan. Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook them for 5 minutes then stir in chipotles and tomatoes.
• Remove the chicken from the stock, dice it then add it to the soup. Pass the stock through a strainer then add it to the soup.
• Place a pile of crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of each soup bowl. Cover it liberally with smoked cheese then ladle the hot soup down over the top. Serve it with lime, raw onions and cilantro at table to finish the soup.