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Ever get in a rut when it comes to dinner? I tend to make the same meals over and over again. It’s especially hard when you are trying to eat healthier plant-based food. This Protein-Packed Falafel Bowl will break up your meal planning rut. Plus you won’t believe how delicious this Greek Yogurt Sauce (Tzatziki) is!
I know falafel seems intimidating to make, but it’s actually very simple. All you need is a blender or food processor. I will tell you this; I HATE using my huge processor. It’s so bulky. My life was changed when I was gifted this Immersion Blender Set. I use this in the place of my blender and food processor!
A lot of people prefer using a processor, and if you’re the same, make sure you find the Best Food Processor you can so you don’t end up with a bulky one like I did!
That being said it is no secret that tracking down the best kitchen appliances is not always easy. I was actually talking to a friend of mine about this a few days ago. She is currently in the process of remodeling her kitchen and she told me that reading plenty of online reviews has helped her to work out which kitchen appliances are best suited to her needs.
Accordingly, if you are considering investing in any new appliances for your kitchen, you can find some helpful reviews online by heading to websites like Buyersimpact.co.uk. Ultimately, by reading reviews, you can compare several different products so that you can work out what is best for your kitchen.
Anyway, I would say that this recipe is relatively simple. You dump all of your falafel ingredients into the blender/food processor, blend, and form patties using your hands. Then I like to smash them in sesame seeds (totally optional!).
To make the falafel not as fattening bake them! Then assemble the rest of your bowl …
Or save them in meal prep containers to eat for the week! (I love these Bento Box Containers!)
Protein Packed Falafel Bowls
These Protein Packed Falafel Bowls are a great vegetarian meal prep idea!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
Quinoa
- 2 cups broth
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup quinoa
- 3 cups assorted vegetables, chopped (we use mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, and brussel sprouts)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
-
1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper
Falafel
- 1 (12oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped (sub | cilantro, 1 tablespoon dried herbs)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (recipe above)
- Pinch of red pepper, optional
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds, optional
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Cucumber Yogurt Sauce (Tzatziki)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (sub | plain yogurt)
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (sub | 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Make the quinoa first. Pour the broth, olive oil, and salt into a small pot. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the quinoa to the boiling liquid, and stir once. Cover the pot with a lid, and turn the heat to low. Let it sit on low heat for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes turn off the heat, and set aside. (You will only use 1 cup for the falafel, but use the rest for your bowl!)
- While the quinoa is cooking roast your vegetables. Toss your favorite assortment of vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Once the vegetable have finished, turn up the oven to 450 degrees.
- Then blend all of the falafel ingredients (chickpeas, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, baking powder, quinoa, and red pepper) in a food processor or blender until a dough like consistency is formed (it will be crumbly!). Using your hands squeeze together about 1/4 cup of “dough” into a firm ball (don’t be shy about it! You’ll have to really squeeze hard or they won’t stay together).
- Press the ball onto the counter to form a patty, like you do to make hamburger patties (optional: press them into sesame seeds for a crunchy exterior). Place the falafels on a baking sheet and drizzle 1 Tablespoon of olive oil on top of all the patties. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake another 10 minutes.
- While the falafel bakes, mix together all of the ingredients for the yogurt sauce (yogurt, cucumber, garlic powder, salt, pepper, lemon, sugar, and dill). Refrigerate until serving.
- Then build your bowls!
Love a good bowl? Check out these recipes:
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