Meatless Monday - Falafel with Guacamole Spread

Once when we were out and about we came upon a rescue organization that had several dogs available for adoption. Naturally we stopped to pet the pups because I just can’t resist a dog. They had a really cute dog there who was named Falafel. Isn’t that a great name for a dog? I think of him whenever I think about the food falafel and hope he got a great home. The food falafel is normally made with chick peas, otherwise known as garbanzo beans and are quite vegetarian as well as quite delicious.

This is a great Monday dinner because it’s pretty quick and easy to prepare. You can serve it in pita bread or wrap the mini falafel in lettuce or cabbage leaves and avoid the gluten.

Falafel with Guacamole Spread

Ingredients

Patties:
1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack (or similar) cheese plus extra for topping
4-6 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

Spread:
1/4 cup mashed peeled avocado
2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Preparation

To prepare patties, place chick peas in a medium bowl; partially mash with a fork. Add cheese and next 4 ingredients; stir until well combined. Shape bean mixture into round patties, make them small if you are making them as finger food.

Heat a large frying pan then add oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until patties are browned and thoroughly heated.

To prepare the guacamole spread, combine avocado and next 4 ingredients stirring well. Serve patties with the spread on the side so you can add as much or little as you want.

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