Have you ever seen a recipe and thought that it didn’t sound at all good, but you just had to make it to see for yourself? That was my reaction when I came across the recipe for “Sloppy Falafel” (what a name) in the Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. I really didn’t have high hopes for this recipe, but it was honestly really good! Here’s a pic:

I know that’s not the most showcasing pic for this meal, but you get the idea! All this recipe involves is a box of falafel mix (like Fantastic Foods), a 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes, and some chili powder and salt. It couldn’t be easier and the end result is a good falafel sandwich without all of that deep frying! We stuffed our sloppy falafel into some TJ’s mini whole wheat pitas and topped them off with CSA buttercrunch lettuce and cucumber sauce. On the side we had salad with tomato, oranges, and cubanelle peppers. A perfect work-day dinner.
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I am loving the beverages section of Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen. I made pumpkin mylk for a snack on Sunday and a carob/almond (instead of Brazil Nuts) shake yesterday (SOOOOO good!). This morning, I made the Vanilla Coconut shake, but I used pumpkin seeds instead of almonds because I used up almost all of my almonds in yesterday’s shake.
Mmm, mmm, MMM! This was mighty tasty. It reminded me of the vanilla shakes I used to get at McDonald’s as a kid, but, obviously, WAY healthier. The recipe called for coconut oil, which I don’t have because when I went to buy some at the co-op the other day, it cost about a billion dollars. So, I just added some standard unsweetened coconut. I brought the shake to work with me today (I’m trying to not drink coffee in the mornings since I know the coffee they have here at work is super bad) and it was gone fast. My stomach feels a bit heavy right now, but that’s kind of a good thing because I usually eat breakfast at 6AM and then eat again when I get to work at 9AM and still end up eating my lunch around 11AM. It’s almost noon and I think I can probably go even another hour or so before diving into my lunch. I’m going to stop by the grocery after picking up the munchkin today to get some ingredients for some more luscious drinks.

August 6, 2008 at 12:17 pm
pumpkin mylk? sounds delicious!
August 6, 2008 at 2:23 pm
You are brave and adventurous! In my household recipes never get chances like that. If they don’t sound good they will never be made. I am quite sure that I missed out a lot of great recipes because of that, but that’s the way I am. In the case of sloppy falafels I would have made them immediately because of their funny name. And if your picture would have been attached I would have made them in any case!
August 6, 2008 at 2:35 pm
pumpkin mylk! that’ll be really good. is that actually in the book?
and also, i recently found coconut oil at walmart for a decent price (i mean,come on, it’s walmart for pete’s sake) but i haven’t used it yet, so i don’t know about the quality. Do you know if there are different “grades” of coconut oil?
August 6, 2008 at 2:53 pm
The sloppy falafels look and sound so tastey. And the drink too. And yes coconut oil costs an arm and a leg. I thouht about buying some once until I saw the price and then I almost fell over. Thanks for the comment about my little guy, his smile and laughter makes everyday great. Hope you have a wonderful day.
Krys
August 6, 2008 at 3:00 pm
mmmmm, mmmmmm! your shake looks like one tasty treat! good to know that it sticks with you, too! gotta love that! i wanted to get some coconut oil to try baking and such with it, but when i saw the price i thought, “maybe another day! wow – that’s a lot of money!”.
i really love the idea of the sloppy falafels. a falafel sammie without the deep frying sounds wonderful to me – and even better when paired with all those great looking CSA veggies! hoooooray!
August 6, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I have that Veg Times cookbook, but I always forget I have it. I should look that recipe up. It sounds super easy and a healthier way to enjoy falafel.
As for the mylks, that makes me really want that book! On the coconut oil issue, it is really expensive. But it doesn’t taste at all like coconut, just like oil…so I bet adding the unsweetened coconut flakes added a new twist to that recipe. Sounds great!
August 6, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Mmm.. I am defintely going to have to make some of her drink recipes. Ironically, I have the book next to me right now..!
August 7, 2008 at 10:19 am
Your falafel dish sounds great! And it’s nice to have a few tasty quick meals on hand.