The first time I ever had falafel was at a student journalism conference at Columbia University in New York City. It was love at first bite. Falafel is a middle eastern, vegetarian dish that is ground chick peas mixed into patties, fried & then served on a pita with salad & tahini sauce.
Living near New York City for most of my life, there was a cornucopia of ethnic restaurants, fusions and all sorts of permutations & combinations. However, the great plains tends to lack variety & taste. The Midwestern palate leans more to the bland side...but I digress.
We actually are fortunate to have not 1, but 2, middle eastern restaurants in Sioux falls, plus the pita pit drive through. Sanaa's (you can follow the owner on twitter @SanaaCooks) is downtown, at 8th & Railroad, which is this funky mix of art galleries, restaurants, office space & the yoga studio I go to.
I admit, I haven't been to Sanaa's for quite some time, as I don't have anyone to go with. My husband doesnt like that type of food, so hes out as a date.
Last night I had the opportunity to eat at a new restaurant, Baladna's, that opened in Sioux Falls. I was meeting with my youth group staff so we could put the finishing touches on planning the year, so it was the perfect opportunity to try something different.
I had the falafel, which instantly took me back to a fall day in 1986, standing across the street from esteemed Columbia University. It's love at first bite, all over again. The portions were generous enough that I have some for lunch today. It was hard resisting the lure of leftovers last night, but i was full from dinner all night.
It was good food & good company, the perfect combination for a good meal.
I've tried to make falafel at home, but it doesn't come out the same. Near Eastern brand makes a mix thats decent, but nothing beats having it out. In a pinch it will do.
Falafel
1 box falafel mix & the ingredients to make it
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Pita
Hummus or tahini sauce
Cooked rice or couscous
dates
Baba ganoush
Make falafel according to directions. Serve on warm pitas, topped with hummus or tahini sauce, lettuce & cucumbers. As a side dish, serve with rice/cucumbers & baba ganoush and dates.
Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity. Margaret D. Nadauld
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