Chocolate Zucchini Bread

 
 

Serves 6 - 8

Procedure

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 10”x5” (1 ½ lb) loaf pan. Line it with a piece of parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over the pan. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

  2. Beat the eggs in a separate large mixing bowl. Whisk in the granulated and brown sugars until well incorporated. Add the Greek yogurt and vanilla. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter, whisking to combine. Mix in the dry ingredients until smooth.

  3. Place the shredded zucchini in the center of a kitchen towel. Ring out the excess water into the sink (as much as you can). Fold the zucchini and chocolate into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

  4. Bake the zucchini bread uncovered on the middle rack in the oven for 55-60 minutes, or until cooked through. Let cool for 30 minutes in the pan. Use the parchment paper to pull the bread out of the pan. Cool for another 15 minutes or so.

  5. Use a serrated knife to slice the bread into thick slices. Serve warm or at room temperature with softened salted butter slathered over top.

Optional: For the oat streusel, add the oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, Garam Masala, and salt to a small bowl. Toss to combine. Add the cubed butter and use your fingers (or a pastry cutter) to “rub” the butter into the flour. Keep working it in until the flour has been absorbed and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Top the batter with the streusel.

Ingredients

1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. Garam Masala

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 eggs

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup Greek yogurt

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

¼ lb. unsalted butter, melted

¾ lb. shredded zucchini (approximately 2 cups)

6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped

softened salted butter, for serving

OPTIONAL:

Oat Streusel:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup brown sugar

2 tsp. Garam Masala

½ tsp. kosher salt

¼ lb. unsalted butter, cubed


Classic Baked Falafel

 
 

Serves 6 - 8

Procedure

  1. Soak the organic chickpeas overnight. Make sure the water covers the chickpeas by 2 to 3 inches, as they'll triple in size. Add a quarter tsp of baking soda as they soak.

  2. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add them to your food processor, along with the onion, parsley, cilantro, pepper, garlic, cumin, salt, cardamom, and black pepper. 

  3. Pulse the food processor several times until the mixture resembles the texture of coarse sand. 

  4. Transfer the falafel mixture to a bowl and add the chickpea flour and baking soda. Stir together, then cover or add a lid and refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

  5. Use your hands, an ice cream scoop, or a falafel scoop to form the falafel into balls or patties. If you find the mixture is too wet, you can add another tablespoon of chickpea flour. If it's too dry and crumbly, you can add a teaspoon or two of water or lemon juice. 

  6. To bake, preheat the oven to 375°F and bake until crispy, around 20-30 minutes. You can also fry the falafel. To do that, add about 3 inches of avocado oil to a pot on medium heat. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Cook the falafel in batches (about 6 to 8 at a time) for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden. 

  7. Remove the falafel on to a platter lined with paper towel to remove the extra oil.

  8. Serve the falafel immediately, while warm and crispy on the outside. They're delicious with tahini or tzatziki sauce.

Ingredients

1 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight (don't use canned chickpeas)

½ cup roughly chopped onion

1 cup roughly chopped parsley, about one large bunch

1 cup roughly chopped cilantro, about one large bunch

1 small green chili pepper (serrano or jalapeno pepper)

3 garlic cloves

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

3 green cardamom pods, crushed and with the husk removed

¼ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp chickpea flour (or other flour)

½ tsp baking soda

Avocado oil for frying (optional)