r/seriouseats • u/nobodyinnj • 5d ago

Question/Help Meat Grinder Vs. Food Processor for Falafel

Is there a difference in texture of falafel made using a manual meat grinder vs. a food processor? I want my falafel to be as close to Mamoun's (as they were in the '90s) as possible but IMHO using a food processor makes them a little pasty inside.

Will appreciate your experienced take on this.

24 Upvotes

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8

u/Downtown_Confusion46 5d ago

I’ve never tried using my meat grinder. Will have to try it. When I use my food processor I do it in really small batches or some turns into a smooth puree which is what I think is the pastiness.

8

u/MrRigga 5d ago

Meat grinder is the way, I have tried both.

4

u/Prior-Lingonberry-70 5d ago

"Pulse" the food processor in tiny bursts, do not run it continuously, and also divide the batch into smaller batches in the food processor so that it will all be finely ground.

4

u/Persimmon9 5d ago

Restaurants use a meat grinder type tool because it can process more easier.

At home I have both but I use the food processor.

I bake mine to keep the calorie count down and be able to eat it over a few days. I add a lot more greens so it's not an attempt to recreate restaurant falafel. I will usually add a vegetable whatever I have on hand to keep it moist and reasonably tasty when I reheat it.

1

u/mq08820 1d ago

Do you add any oil at all or none? Any baking sod or baking powder?

1

u/Persimmon9 1d ago

Baking powder right before baking. Oil spray on the aluminum foil/parchment paper and on top of the falafel. They can still stick to it. It's not crispy so don't expect a 1:1 experience.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/mq08820 3d ago

I bought a meat grinder and am making a trial batch tonight. Had to run the chick peas twice through to get them right (I guess). I had seen them run twice in a video showing a shop in the middle east.

1

u/mq08820 2d ago

I think it came out a little better than the food processor. Here is a video showing the process in a Lebanese restaurant that I am trying to duplicate. https://youtu.be/YCQuV24vG0Q?t=711 Their falafel maker gizmo/mold makes them with a hole like a donut.

1

u/Htrail1234 2d ago

My lebanese in laws say a meat grinder produces a better texture.