So I delivered my first healthy lunchboxes to an local office this week which was fun. I hope to keep delivering a little ‘plant based / meat free midweek’ goodness each Wednesday if there is the take up! I will vary the salad each week but it will always come with a falafel & humous/ vegetable dip to keep it plant based. I have tried several falafel recipes over the years but I think this is a great basic recipe. I intend to keep fiddling with the ingredients as I go… switching the herbs & spices to go with the salad I am making each week so feel free to do the same, using flavours that you enjoy. The ground flaxseed is a great way to bind the falafels & to help give these oven baked falafels a crispy coating.

The falafels are packed full of healthy ingredients. Chickpeas and flaxseeds are a great source of fibre and protein, and the flaxseeds are also a good vegetarian source of Omega 3 fats. Eating sufficient fibre has huge implications for our health. It can help us to maintain a healthy weight, balance our blood sugar levels, and can help to lower our cholesterol, thereby reducing our risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Omega 3 fats have many important health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties. Free radical damage & inflammation are thought to be key causes of disease. This is why a more plant based diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients can be so beneficial to health!!  Healthy lunchbox anyone?

Ingredients

1 can chickpeas, drained
3 cloves garlic
50g red onion ( about 1/2 a red onion)
10g fresh coriander
10g fresh flat leaved parsley
1 grated carrot
zest & juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. harissa
1/2 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. ground flaxseed
2 tbsp. ground flaxseed & 2 tbsp. sesame seeds to coat

Method

Blend all ingredients in food processor until well combined

Chill in fridge for 30 minutes

Mix flaxseed & sesame seeds together in a bowl

Roll mix into balls & coat with seed mix

Place on baking tray (lined with greaseproof paper)

Bake in oven (preheated to 200C) for 30 minutes

Enjoy!