Falafel with Tzatziki and a Cucumber, Tomato Salad

MMMMM - Falafel!

Falafel is one of my very favorite foods. For me, it is basically a love language. Come to think of it, so is Tzatziki…

This is a nice, cool dish to have as a sandwich on a hot day, as something warm and filling on a cold day, and something to share to make a beautiful day even more beautiful! Here’s my adaptation - I hope you enjoy it!

Falafel

CKD: cost per patty is K+ 51mg, PHO 25.5mg, PRO 1.5g

DASH Diet: 3 patties is 1P, 1/2 V, 1 FA

12 patties:

Recipe:

-1 15.5 oz can of garbanzos: drained, leached, and rinsed

-1/2 C Green Onions

-1/2 C onion or shallot

-3-4 cloves of garlic minced

-4 tbsp (1/4 C) matzoh meal (OR Malto-Meal - that works, too!)

-1/2 C finely chopped cilantro 

-1 tsp Cumin

-1 tsp paprika

-1/2 tsp each coriander, salt and pepper to taste

-1 tsp baking POWDER

-2 healthy TBSP olive oil (may need more to get correct texture, adjust as needed)

Preheat oven to 400. Whir ingredients to a nice, coarse paste in a food processor or blender.  Allow to rest at least 15 minutes before shaping into 12 balls.  Place the balls on a baking sheet, smash flat and kiss them with a little olive oil. Bake 8-10 minutes, flip, and then bake 8-10 minutes more depending on how firm you like them!

Cucumber Salad

CKD: K+ 132mg, PHO 160mg, PRO .5g

DASH 1/2 V optional .25FA if using olive oil

12 Servings at 2TBSP each

Recipe":
-2 cups peeled and sliced cucumbers

-1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves or quartered if they are on the larger side

-1/2 cup sliced onions (any kind you like)

-1/4 C feta cheese crumbles-

1 tbsp each fresh dill and fresh mint OR 1 tsp of dried dill and mint 

-optional: 1 tsp red wine vinegar and 1 tsp olive oil, or 1 tbsp of your favorite Italian dressing

Tzatziki

CKD: K+ 36mg, PHO 17mg PRO .5g

DASH: 1 FA. .25 V

12 servings at 2 TBSP each

Recipe:
-1 cup regular fat sour cream

-1/2 C finely chopped green onion

-1/2 C peeled and grated cucumber

-1-2 cloves of garlic - also grated

-1/2 TBSP each fresh dill and mint minced finely OR 1/2 tsp each DRIED dill and mint

-the juice of 1/2 of a lemon

-salt and pepper to taste