Walnut Falafel

Walnut Falafel pg. 153
Fresh Minted Tabouli pg. 207
Hummus pg. 243
Garlic Tahini Dressing pg. 227

I spent most of my life living in Glendale, California.  I only moved a couple of years ago.  My family lived in the same house my entire life.  My husband's family lived in Glendale as well.  We actually bought our first house right across the street from where my husband grew up. That was really cool because although his family had since moved from that house, many of the neighbors remembered him as a child. So that house really felt like home from the second we moved in. His mom and grandma still live in Glendale. Now you are probably wondering why the history on Glendale? Well, Glendale happens to have a really large Armenian demographic, and for that reason some of the most amazing Middle Eastern restaurants! 

All of the dishes I made from CSK today would be served in many restaurants throughout Glendale.  These dishes have become favorites for my family.  We don't live in Glendale anymore, and greatly miss all the delicious foods we became so spoiled with while there.  So it was very exciting to find out how easy these recipes were to prepare.  This was my favorite dish from Crazy Sexy Kitchen!   I have made a lot of recipes from CSK, so those words are a big deal!

Walnut Falafel

First up is a Walnut Falafel.  Traditionally falafel is a deep fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and or favabeans.   Chef Sarno's version is made with walnuts and almonds.  It was labeled a "2" insinuating it was chefy to make, but it really was quite simple.  So don't be scared off by the "2".  I dehydrated my falafel, but you can also bake them if you don't own a dehydrator.  These were just amazing.

 I made Fresh Minted Tabouli to go with the falafel.  It was a breeze to make, just chop and serve.

Fresh Minted Tabouli

The recipe suggested making the Garlic Tahini Dressing which I did to accompany the falafel.  Back in Glendale we did not ever get Tahini dressing with our Falafel, but I must say it was awesome.  When I did a little research on the orgin of falafel it said the dish is often served with a tahini dressing.  So maybe it isn't an Armenian custom?  It was yummy, so make it. Drizzling it on top of the falafel wrapped in a pita was heavenly. 

Garlic Tahini Dressing

Lastly, I made the second Hummus recipe in CSK.  I made the first months ago using cashews as the base. (Here is the link if you want to check it out:http://crazysexykitchenproject.blogspot.com/2012/11/hummus-hummus-pinwheels.html)  This hummus uses a white bean as the base.  It was so good, and easy to mix together.  I don't think you can ever go wrong with hummus.  Plus, homemade hummus is so much better than the store bought stuff.  My kids loved it, and I love when they devour something so healthy.

Hummus (with white beans)

Even my pup wanted in on this!

I must warn you that major garlic breath will come from this meal.

So have some parsley or mint handy to chew on.  (Breath mints too!)  The truth is you won't even care about all that because you will be so happily full!