Ingredients

  • Falafel crust:
  • 1 side of salmon, about 3 pounds, skin and pin bones removed
  • 2 cups dried chickpeas, picked through and rinsed, soaked overnight
  • 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground
  • A 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • 2 handfuls of fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
  • 1 handful of fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
  • Lemon wedges for garnish
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Tahini sauce:
  • 1 cup tahini paste
  • 1 cup of water
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • A 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • Pinch of paprika

Method

  • Make the falafel crust: put the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and add cool water to cover by 2 inches.
  • Soak in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 48.
  • Drain and rinse thoroughly.
  • In a bowl of a food processor, combine all the falafel ingredients, and pulse to coarsely grind.
  • The mixture shouldnat be entirely smooth.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  • Put the salmon, skin side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with olive oil.
  • Spoon the falafel mixture onto the salmon and smooth with a spatula to cover completely.
  • Put the baking sheet into the oven and roast until the salmon is just cooked through but still translucent in the center, about 10 minutes.
  • Put the salmon under a broiler for 5 more minutes until golden brown.
  • To serve, transfer the salmon to a serving platter by holding 2 opposing corners of the parchment paper and lifting the whole thing off the baking sheet and onto the platter, parchment and all.
  • Spoon the tahini sauce into a serving bowl and garnish with lemon wedges.
  • to make the Tahini sauce: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a whisk until smooth and creamy.
  • Taste for salt, paprika and lemon.
  • (You can do it in a food processor as well).