Recipe Review: Baked Falafel with Pita

Starting a couple months ago Travis and I decided to eat a little healthier, or I should say I decided and since I do all the cooking Travis had no choice in the matter. We already ate pretty good, mostly organic and local, with lots of fresh fruits and veggies. But I felt like we were eating too much meat and snacking too frequently. So I've been making more meat free meals that would be filling enough to discourage me from snacking, which led me to looking for the perfect falafel recipe. After tinkering with a few different recipes I feel pretty happy with the outcome. Find my recipe below.

These falafel are pretty tasty alone but I have to say that for me it's all about the sauces. I like to make both a lemon tahini garlic dressing (recipe below) and a fresh tzatziki, the more the merrier. And then just pile on any veggies I have. I particularly like the classics like tomato and cucumbers, but have also tried and really enjoyed adding avocado  peppers and artichokes. You can also try new things with your falafel recipe, like adding more or less of your favorite herbs and spices or even adding in nuts like this amazing version from Sprouted Kitchen.

Baked Falafel Recipe

3-4 garlic cloves
4 Tbsp fresh parsley
½ red onion
3 ½ cups cooked chickpeas (or two 15 oz cans)
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin

1-2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 Tbsp honey
5 tbsp flour (you can substitute gluten free options such as almond or spelt flour)
1 tsp baking powder
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400°F

Place the garlic and the parsley into a food processor and chop it up. Add the onion and process it until the onion is chopped up as well but not too small.

Add the chickpeas, coriander, and cumin. Process until everything is finely ground but not pureed. You can do this in steps if the amount is too much to be processed at once. Place the ground mix into a bowl. Add the lemon juice, honey, flour, and the baking powder, and season to taste with salt and pepper. If needed add more flour.

Form the mix into little balls and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush both sides of each falafel with olive oil. Bake them for 20 minutes then flip them and bake them again for 20 minutes.

Warm the pita bread and top with the falafel, lemon tahini dressing, tomatoes, lettuce, and any other veggies of your choice. Enjoy!

Lemon Tahini Garlic Dressing

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

4 Tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
½ cup filtered water
½ cup tahini
½ teaspoon sea salt
4 organic garlic cloves
3 tablespoons fresh organic parsley (I used curly, but flat leaved should work fine)
1 tablespoon raw honey
½ cup extra virgin oil

Put all ingredients, excluding oil, in your food processor or blender.
Puree until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Drizzle in olive oil and continue mixing.
When everything is well blended, serve on everything!

Happy Friday + Link-o-rama

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so excited for this weekend because I get to celebrate the wedding of Rue editor-in-chief Crystal Gentilello to her lovely fiance, Andrew. I love going to weddings, because I'm a little bit of a sap and end of crying 80% of the time. And I'm particularly excited for Crystals wedding because not only are they the most perfect pair, but they both have the best taste, so I know it's going to be visually stunning. I can't wait!

Now I will leave you for the weekend with a few of my favorite reads this week, here and across the web. (links below image)

Photo by Jose Villa

ON CONUNDRUM
The moody and beautiful photography of Annija Muižule.
I get to chat a little with the talented Beth in this weeks Pintastic People post!
Don't forget you can now sign up for news and updates from Conundrum?

ELSEWHERE
I loved reading this post by Megan over at Fresh Exchange about trying to find balance when you work for yourself.

Since weddings are on my mind, I loved this list on Cup of Jo of 10 unforgettable wedding moments.

I'm absolutely besotted with this Melbourne home featured on Sf Girl by Bay.

I was lucky enough to have dinner with some amazing ladies a couple weeks ago and photographer, Eva Kolenko chronicles the night on her blog.

Pintastic People: Beth Kirby

I've been an avid fan of Beth Kirby's pinterest boards for some time now, not to mention her endlessely inspiring, cooking blog, Local Milk. So I of course I thought she would be the perfect fit to feature as one of my Pintastic People. After introducing myself over email to this Tennessee native I became even more enamored. Her love for food and photography was clear even over email and I loved receiving her prose-like answers to my questions about what inspires her and how she got started blogging. 

Then last week I was delighted and shocked to find out that Beth is one of the contestants on this years Master Chef, airing now! Those who know me well, know that I'm a little bit of a reality show junkie, specifically cooking shows, and have seen every episode of Master Chef. So while I didn't get a chance to ask Beth about her experience in this interview, I will definitely be watching and rooting for her and can't wait to see the dishes she comes up with on the show.

How did you get started on Pinterest?
I got started on Pinterest because I was teaching myself food photography, and I found it to be a great resource for amassing & studying the work of stylists and photographers that I admired as well as a great way to collect recipes. It evolved into a place to catalog inspiration in other areas that I'm passionate about like interior design & fashion as well as a great way to share my work & the work of artists I admire.

What are 3 of your favorite pins from this week?

Just three! So hard. I'm a...prolific pinner to put it nicely. These are three favorites because not only are they beautiful but they link to great content.
1. Coconut Dream Cake by Caitlin of Roost  //  2. This beautiful table setting from the Portugal Kinfolk Flower Workshop by De Alma e Coração + Little Upside Down Cake  //  3. Lastly, classic jeans from Rollas Denim. I would kill for a pair of these. If only I could figure out how to get my paws on them! 

You also have your beautiful blog Local Milk, how did you get started with blogging?
I've been writing since I could hold a pencil, and I've had some sort of website ever since I discovered the internet around age 12...the first one was a Star Wars fan page! I actually used to be a fashion blogger in what seems like another life, but in the end cooking & being behind the lens instead of in front of it was my real passion. I've actually had three half hearted food blogs before this one. The short version of the long true story is that I got sober two years ago, and it was then that I was finally able to take my passion for food, writing, photography and turn what had previously just been day dreams into actual work. When I decided to make a career out of it a little over a year ago, I found the direction & motivation to really pour everything I have into it, and that's when Local Milk was born.

What is your favorite part about creating and sharing content with your readers?

My favorite part of creating and sharing content with my readers is the mutual inspiration, encouragement, and honesty. Blogging has been a shockingly positive experience, and I have the best readers in the world! It's incredibly satisfying to share your art & get actual feedback from your audience, to build a relationship with them. The real goal of it all is to find beauty in everyday life, and my hope is that my work serves as a catalyst for slow living in a fast world and being honest about our struggles so that we all feel a little less insane, a little less alone. If I can inspire someone to pick up a camera, plant some herbs (even though I kind of killed my own...), visit their local farmer's market, or bake bread from scratch, then I couldn't ask for more!

What are a few of your favorite sites to find inspiration for your blog and pinterest?

I get inspiration from so many amazing websites, and I have a list (albeit not exhaustive) of some of my favorite places to get inspiration here Some of my current favorites are Rebekka Seal, Little Upside Down Cake, Forty-sixth at Grace, Manger, Happyolks, The Vanilla Bean Blog, Olivia Rae James, A Daily Something, Luisa Brimble, {farmette}, and La Buena Vida.

photo by Beth Kirby

You have spent much of your life and currently reside in Tennessee, what do you love about your home state?

I love the heart of Tennessee, the literary quality, the soul food & amazing produce, the old time music, the history. Most of all I love the mountains, and how I can drive not but ten minutes and be a country side that time forgot, a disappearing landscape. The south is both bright and dark, a chiaroscuro kind of place, and that serves as infinite inspiration for my work. Also, like it or not home is part of who you are, and by knowing Tennessee I better know myself, my roots. I'm all tangled up in the poplar trees.

And what are some of your favorite local haunts?

My favorite local haunts are the Main St. Farmer's Market where you can find me almost every Wednesday I'm in town, Mean Mug coffee shop (the best iced coffee), Link41 for local cured meats & sausages, Niedlov's bakery, The Purple Daisy for a BBQ sandwich, Lamar's Lounge for the best fried chicken on the face of the earth (no joke), and Taco Jalisco for real deal street style tacos & local Pure Soda Works sodas.

What do you do when not pinning or blogging?

I like to spend my time cooking, reading, taking photos, travelling the world (though I especially love road trips right here in Tennessee), combing farmer's markets & flea markets, and hanging out with my best friend & the love of my life, Patrick, watching films and sharing a bag of gummy bears in bed!

Last but not least who are a few of your favorite pinners?

I have a ton of favorites. But right now I'm loving Rebecca Gallop, Nicole Franzen, Izy Hossack, andie B, ani, Sanda Vuckovic Pagaimo, and collette. And you!

Annija Muižule

The other day, Travis and I were discussing how one of the few things we really miss from Wisconsin are the big summer thunderstorms. The heavy grey sky and sound of rain pelting the windows and roof would create the perfect cozy sanctuary inside. These images by Latvian photographer, Annija Muižule, capture a little bit of that same feeling, which I think is one of the reasons why I'm so drawn to Annija's work in general. Her work creates that nostalgic moody softness that I want to surround myself with sometimes, just before wanting the sun to come out.

Happy Friday + Link-o-rama

Happy Friday everyone! Did you guys know it's National Doughnut Day today? I highly recommend celebrating the holiday to it's fullest like I already did this morning :) I've had a crazy couple of weeks so I felt like a little extra indulgence today was well deserved. And if you're feeling extra ambitious you can use the below recipe from Portuguese Girl Cooks to create delicious homemade Pumpkin doughnuts.
Now I will leave you for the weekend with a few of my favorite reads this week. (links below image)

1. Check out this really cool DIY T-shirt project over at Sweet Paul.

2. This home tour over on Sf Girl by Bay reminds me I need way more house plants.

3. After celebrating National Doughnut day this salad recipe from Love & Lemons will be the perfect healthy anecdote.

4. Did you see my office tour over on Eva Black's blog? I answer a few of her questions about working for myself and staying inspired.

5. The perfect Fathers' Day gift guide over at Apartment34.

Daniela Tieni

I recently came across the work of Italian artist and illustator Daniela Tieni and was immediately captivated. She has that very simple, sweet style but with a sophistication in her subject matter and use of color, which all together really draws me in.