Chickpeas Falafels (channa tikki) - Aggu

Recipe by Agnes Dsouza
















Ingredients:
1 cup chickpeas (uncooked, soaked for 8 hours)
salt as needed 
4 green chilies 
1 big onion
1" ginger
1 tsp hing
7 garlic cloves 
1/2 lemon (juice) 
2 handful of coriander leaves (chopped)
2 tsp jeera powder 
1/2 tsp turmeric powder 
1/2 tsp black peppercorns 
1/4 cup besan/chickpea flour 
2 1/2 tbsp kashmiri chilli powder 
1-2 tbsp oil for frying

Steps:
  1. Soak the chickpeas for at least 8 hours in water.
  2. Rinse the chickpeas 2-3 times and leave it in a strainer for about 10 minutes.
  3. In a food processor or grinder, roughly grind the chickpeas and salt for about 20 seconds.
  4. Then open the lid and add the onions, green chillies, ginger, garlic, coriander leaves, lime juice, hing, cumin powder, turmeric and blend for about 30 seconds.
  5. Open the lid and add chickpea flour, cumin powder and chilli powder and blend for about 30 seconds again. (see notes)
  6. Transfer the falafel mix into a bowl and mix well with your hands. Press it down and cover for 10 minutes.
  7. Take about 1 - 1/2 tbsp and roll into a round shape, and press down to make a patty.
  8. Heat a pan with 1 tbsp oil and coat the pan well.
  9. Reduce to low flame,  and add falafels (dont overcrowd) and fry on both sides for 3-5 minutes each.
  10. ENJOY!
Notes:
  1. Open the lid. Take a small amount of the mix into your palm and try to roll it into a falafel. If its too moist and splits, add 1-2 tbsp more of besan and grind again for 10-15 seconds. 
  2. you can store the extra mix in an air tight container for 2-3 days.