• Profile photo of Beatriz Torija

      Beatriz Torija posted an update

      a year ago (edited)

      Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

      #CroquetaChallenge

      I love Arabic cuisine. Thinking of possible flavors and combinations when the challenge was launched, I immediately thought of falafel which, in its original recipe, could almost be considered a croquette. But then I decided to give it a twist and merge our croquette tradition with the falafel flavor.

      So, the bechamel is made with chopped onion, cilantro and parsley (falafel ingredients). The bechamel is made with clarified butter, chickpea flour and whole milk. And I made the batter with chickpea flour, egg and crushed chickpeas (the same chickpeas used to make the falafel).

      I found the result surprising, because this croquette has the same intense and aromatic flavor as the falafel, with the creaminess of our croquettes and a super crispy batter. I loved it.

      And of course, to serve it, I have prepared traditional hummus that I have seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil on the plate.

      For those who do not want to lose the vegan essence of the falafel, just replace the milk in the béchamel with vegetable milk, and the butter with margarine or oil.

      By the way, I take this opportunity to recommend Greg Malouf’s Lebanese cooking course, because it is fabulous.

      Elaboration step by step:

      -Chop the onion finely

      -Clarify the butter and poach the onion over low heat until it is very well done.

      -Add sifted chickpea flour and cook for a few minutes.

      -Add the milk, lukewarm in several times and cook without stirring for 18 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

      -Halfway through cooking, add the chopped parsley. And at the end, the coriander. If instead of chopping it with a knife, it is better to chop it by hand, and as a personal tip, coriander is never too much.

      -Transfer the béchamel sauce to a bowl, cover with cling film and leave to cool until the end.

      -On the other hand, soak chickpeas with a pinch of salt.

      -The next day, drain the chickpeas from their soaking water and grind them. The result should be a slightly irregular grain.

      -Form the dough balls, pass through chickpea flour (sifted before), beaten egg and pass through the crushed chickpeas.

      -Fry in abundant olive oil.

      I served it with traditional hummus, also homemade, seasoned with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few sprigs of coriander. There is no better accompaniment. 🤤

      Translated from Spanish
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      Sol Damiani, Carolina Alvarez Santín and 4 others
      18 Comments
      • Level: level 3 sous 3 Sous Chef

        I like the idea, very original that fusion that you have marked with the falafel and croquettes.

        They look very golden and creamy and their presentation with the hummus makes them ideal. Very good job

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        Translated from Spanish
        a year ago
      • Level: level 3 sous 3 Sous Chef

        Wow Bea, this sounds amazing! The combination of falafel and Spanish traditions with croquettes is a real discovery. I definitely have to try this recipe, as I’m sure the blend of flavors will be perfect. And the hummus as a side, with that drizzle of olive oil, mmm… Sounds like a real hit! Also, your tip on using plant-based milk and margarine for the vegan version is great! I must admit, I really like the recommendation for Greg Malouf’s course, thank you for that. I’m sure I’ll enjoy this flavor combination. ❤️

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        • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

          @lanamihajlovic thank you, friend. If you like hummus and falafel (because croquettes I already know you do 😅) you have to make them. They are yummy!!! 😋

          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
        • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

          Well, well, this is yet another stroke of genius from you. Merging falafel and our tradition of croquettes is simply genius. Surely the taste is wonderful.

          Well, another good job to be proud of 😍😉.

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          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
        • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

          this is genius! 🤩

          Mixing falafel with croquette is not only ingenious, it makes all the sense in the world: intense flavor, creaminess and that crushed chickpea batter that must give a killer crunch. This is cooking with identity and creativity at its best! 💡🚀

          And that homemade hummus on the side… a luxury! Although now I was left wondering, have you tried serving them with a yogurt sauce with lemon and garlic? It could give them a fresh touch and bring out the flavors even more.

          great job, you can tell there’s a passion for cooking here! ♥️

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          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            @sussan_scoolinaryteam gracias Sussan. Las croquetas combinaban a las mil maravillas con el hummus, pero sin duda una salsa de yogur también cominaría muy bien, o una salsa de yogur y tahina, ¡o con labne! …hala, ya me has creado la necesidad de hacerlas otra vez para probar nuevas combinaciones 🤣🤣🤣

          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            I’ve been a bit of a wanderer, I start to see what you have done and I find this recipe, what a great idea, I’m sure it’s very tasty.

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            Translated from Spanish
            a year ago
          • Brilliant! I’m sure they were delicious.

            Translated from Spanish
            a year ago
          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            Desde luego se ve riquísima

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            • Tienen muy buena pinta, felicidades!

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            • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

              ¡Qué gran idea, Bea! 🤗 Esto es un auténtico viaje de ida y vuelta entre la tradición y la innovación. 👏 Fusionar la untuosidad de la croqueta con el inconfundible aroma del falafel es un golpe maestro. ¿Cómo lograste que el rebozado con garbanzo triturado quedara tan crujiente sin perder ligereza? Detalles como el cilantro añadido al final marcan la diferencia. ¡Gracias por sumarte al #CroquetaChallenge! 💥 Comparte tu foto en redes y etiquétanos @scoolinary_es & @chemasoler_chef.

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