Description
These Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites are a refreshing and flavorful appetizer combining a creamy chickpea purée with aromatic spices, served atop crisp cucumber slices. Perfect for a light snack or party finger food, they bring a delightful Middle Eastern flair to any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For Cucumber Bites:
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Stonyfield Double Cream Plain (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, divided
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, divided
- 1 English cucumber
For Garnish (optional, but encouraged):
- Ground paprika
- Grape tomatoes, quartered
- Thinly sliced shallot
- Sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare chickpea purée: In the bowl of a food processor, combine chickpeas, Stonyfield Double Cream Plain, tahini, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 tablespoon each of finely chopped parsley and cilantro. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Slice cucumber: Cut the English cucumber into ½-inch thick coins to create the base for the bites.
- Assemble bites: Using a spoon or piping bag, scoop or pipe the chickpea purée onto each cucumber slice, covering the surface evenly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley and cilantro over the bites. Add a pinch of ground paprika and top with quartered grape tomatoes, thinly sliced shallot, and a drizzle of sriracha for added flavor and visual appeal, as desired.
Notes
- The chickpea purée can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble and serve.
- If the purée is not smooth enough, continue processing; if it remains too thick, add an extra tablespoon of Double Cream or Greek yogurt to achieve a creamy texture.
- For a decorative striped effect on your cucumber slices, use a vegetable peeler to remove a few vertical strips of the cucumber skin before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
