Ingredients

  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 1 onion peeled and finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic peeled and finely diced
  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ground coriander to taste
  • ground cumin to taste
  • chili powder to taste
  • turmeric to taste
  • 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 4 sprigs fresh mint
  • 3 leaves
  • 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into thick fries
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 ounces salad baby leaf

Method

  • Cook the lentils in 2 cups boiling water for 10-15 mins, until softened. Drain and allow to cool for 10 mins. Set aside 3 tbsp lentils and puree the remainder in a blender, adding a little water if necessary. Stir in the onion and garlic. Mix the flour and baking powder together and stir into the lentils to form a paste. Season heavily with salt, coriander, cumin, chili powder and turmeric. Chill for 30 mins.
  • Form the falafel mix into 24 balls and roll in the reserved lentils. To make the dip, mix the yogurt, parsley and mint in a bowl. Season with salt and black pepper and garnish with mint leaves.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or saucepan to 300°F. Fry the potatoes, in batches, for 3 mins. Drain on paper towels and season with sea salt. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the falafel balls for 8 mins, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
  • Arrange the falafel, french fries and salad on plates. Serve with the yogurt dip.