Description: This is my ideal meal! Falafels, Cilantro Jalapeños Hummus, Beetroot Hummus, Spiced Tortilla Chips, Pickled Jalapeños, Garlic and chilli olives, Carrot and Cucumber sticks – perfect for serving to a group of friends. Why not add a jug of Sangria or some summery cocktail to go with it! It’s a colourful social meal that everyone will enjoy digging into straight from the platter. You can include so many other items in your mezze platter – sun dried tomatoes, pitta bread, feta stuffed peppers, griddled halloumi cheese, baba ghanoush, marinated artichokes – to name a few!! Try this delicious mezze platter soon!! 

Ingredients for hummus:

• 1 cup soaked & cooked chickpeas (or can use tinned)
• 2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
• handful coriander / cilantro leaves and 2 tbsp jalapenos for Cilantro Jalapeno hummus Or 1 medium sized boiled beetroot for Beetroot Hummus
• 3 cloves garlic
• ¼ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions for hummus:

• Blend 1 cup chickpeas, coriander, jalapenos (beetroot for beetroot hummus), sesame seeds, cumin powder, garlic, lemon, and salt without adding any water. Add olive oil and blend it further to a smooth paste.

Falafel:

Servings: 10-12 falafels

Ingredients for falafel:

• 1 cup soaked & cooked chickpeas (can use tinned)
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• handful coriander/ cilantro leaves
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp pepper crushed
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 4 tbsp plain flour/ all-purpose flour
• salt to taste
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• oil for deep frying

Instructions for falafel:

• Blend chickpeas, onion, cilantro, garlic, coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder, pepper, lemon juice, plain flour and salt and blend coarsely in a food processor without adding any water.
• Further add in baking soda and mix well.
• Now grease your hands and prepare small sized balls. Add more plain flour if the dough is sticking to your hands.
• Deep fry the balls in hot oil stirring occasionally on a medium flame and until the falafel turns golden brown. 

Spiced Corn Tortilla Chips:

Servings: 24 chips

Ingredients: 3 small corn tortilla wraps, oregano, salt, chilli flakes and olive oil to spray..

Recipe:

• Preheat the oven to 170°c. Spray some olive oil on both sides of tortilla wraps.
• Cut the tortilla into quarters and then further cut each quarter in half to give you 8 triangles. Lay these triangles onto a baking tray (might be easier doing in couple of batches depending on the size of your baking tray).
• Sprinkle oregano, chilli flakes and salt evenly over the triangles. Bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes until lightly golden and crisp.