Mediterranean-Style Herb Roasted Tuscan Chicken

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don't allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt.

3. Place the vegetables into the cast iron skillet.

4. Pat the spatchcocked chicken dry and place on top of the vegetables in the cast iron skillet, skin side up. Pour the marinade over the chicken, and then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

5. Bake at 425 for 35-45 minutes, basting the chicken throughout the cooking process with pan drippings. Roast until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

6. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and rest for 20 minutes before serving.

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds) (spatchcocked)

Roasted Vegetables:
One bulb garlic, cut into half
Two medium fennel bulbs, sliced thin
5-6 baby potatoes, cut in half
Salt and pepper to taste

For the marinade:
1/4 cup good olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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)

Spiced Turkey Meatballs

Serves: 8 - 10

Procedure

1. Mince the onions, green chilies, ginger and the cilantro leaves in a food processor.

2. Mix the rest of the ingredients with the minced vegetables and form them into medium size meat balls (smaller if for appetizers).

3. Steam the meat balls in a bamboo basket or in a wide pan, till all the juices are absorbed.

4. Pan fry the meatballs, sauté, bake or grill the meatballs in a little avocado oil.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey meat
3 medium red onions
1 or 2 green chilies
2 inches fresh ginger root
5 sprigs of cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons avocado oil

Note: If you are grilling, spray the grilling basket with oil or brush them with oil.