Falafel with Tzatziki in Homemade Greek Pita Flatbreads

Ingredients

• HOMEMADE GREEK PITA FLATBREADS
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast OR instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 160 ml warm milk
• 80 ml warm water
• 320 g bread / strong flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon oil
• FOR THE FALAFELS
• 1 425 g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry
• 15 g chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 onion finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds - optional
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt and
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
• 3-4 Tbsp oil for cooking
• FOR THE TZATZIKI
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 cup / 250ml plain or Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1/3 cup chopped dill
• 1 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   HOMEMADE GREEK PITA FLATBREADS

2. 2

   IF YOU ARE USING ACTIVE DRY YEAST then combine the sugar, yeast, water and milk in a bowl. Set the bowl aside for 5 minutes, until the mixture starts to froth.

3. 3

   In another bowl, combine the flour, the salt mix to combine.

4. 4

   Add the oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

5. 5

   Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture

6. 6

   Transfer mixture to a lightly floured working surface. Knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth.

7. 7

   IF YOU ARE USING INSTANT YEAST then combine flour, sugar and salt together, add the yeast

8. 8

   and mix together. Add the oil. Combine the warm milk and water together and mix it into the dough.Transfer mixture to a lightly floured working surface. Knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth.

9. 9

   Brush a bowl with some oil and add the dough.

10. 10

    Cover with a towel and let it rise for about 40 minutes, until it rises and doubles in size.

11. 11

    Place a pan over medium heat.

12. 12

    Deflate the dough by kneading it for a minute. Break out about 8 pieces of dough

13. 13

    Place pieces of dough on a lightly floured board. Use a rolling pin to roll out each piece of dough to a circle 20 cm in diameter.

14. 14

    Cook the pita bread for 1-2 minutes on each side in the pan, until they puff up slightly. Keep the cooked breads covered with a cloth to ensure that it remains soft.

15. 15

    FOR THE FALAFELS

16. 16

    Add chickpeas, parsley, onions,garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, pepper to a blender and pulse to combine, scraping down sides as needed until thoroughly combined.The mix should be crumbly and not pasty

17. 17

    Add flour 1 Tbsp at a time and mix to combine until no longer wet and you can mold the dough into a ball without it sticking to your hands

18. 18

    At this stage, you can taste and adjust any seasonings as you like.

19. 19

    Shape into 12 small disks

20. 20

    Heat a pan over medium heat and add 2 Tablesppons of oil to coat the pan.

21. 21

    Once the oil is hot,place falafels in the pan

22. 22

    Cook for a total of 4 minutes, until both sides are golden brown.. They will firm up more once cooled.

23. 23

    FOR THE TZATZIKI

24. 24

    Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about half a minute. Avoid blending for too long otherwise the mixture becomes too runny.