FALAFEL BY SHAMALA BHAT

1 cup cooked white chickpeas/kabuli chana or boiled avarekai
1 medium sized onion/pyaaz, finely chopped or minced
2-3 garlic/lahsun, crushed or finely chopped or minced
1 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
½ tsp red chili powder/lal mirch powder (optional)
1 tsp cumin powder/jeera powder
½ tsp crushed black pepper or pepper powder
2 tbsp all purpose flour/maida or whole wheat flour/atta
3 tbsp fresh parsley or coriander leaves, finely chopped or minced
½ to 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
salt as required
oil for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS
combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
mash the chickpeas and mix everything well.
form into small or medium sized balls or patties
deep fry in hot oil like the way you would do for pakoras/fritters.
turn over to the other side whilst frying to ensure that the falafels are evenly fried.
drain falafel on kitchen tissues to remove excess oil.
serve falafel hot with pita bread or serve as snack/starter with some sauce.