thenextmile

I love falafel.  And you know my love of Mexican food.  So sometimes I like to combine the too.  For those that don’t know (mom), falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern sandwich made of chickepeas that are mashed into patties, fried, and served in pita bread with a cucumber-mint yogurt sauce.  They’re very tasty.  These falafels are a Southwest version, and I serve it with some easy gucamole.  Sometimes I serve them in pita bread or on a whole grain bun, but most times I just serve without the bread.  I top them with lettuce and diced tomato.  Salsa would be good as well.

Patties:
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup finely crushed baked tortilla chips (about 3/4 ounce)
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

Quick Gucamole:

2 mashed and peeled avocados

1 tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
2 -3 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt

2 (6-inch) pitas, each cut in half crosswise

1.  To prepare patties, place pinto beans in a medium bowl; partially mash with a fork. Add Monterey Jack cheese and next 5 ingredients (through egg white); stir until well combined. Form into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) oval patties.2.  Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties; cook 3 minutes on each side or until patties are browned and thoroughly heated.

3.  To prepare spread, while patties cook, combine the avocado, plum tomato, red onion, sour cream, lime juice, and salt. Place 1 patty in each pita half. Spread about 2 tablespoons avocado spread over patty in each pita half.

Now, if only the humidity would go away.  It was 80 degrees with 90% humidity at 2:15 this afternoon when I headed out for a 5 mile run.  By a mile and a half, I had sweet dripping off my face and onto my arm.  Gross.  I did finish the  5 miles, then I enjoyed a 2 mile walk at the end.  The walk felt great since it was into a strong wind coming off the lake.

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