Anyone made falafels from scratch???? HELP

[NormaStanChocolateEggMuncher]

In a most uncharacteristic burst of organised-ness (it is a word, trust me) I have soaked chickpeas overnight, and wanted to make falafels. I have looked at a couple of recipes on the web and they don't seem to cook the chickpeas before blitzing them - is that right?

SOmeone come and reasure me please?

Yes, that's right. Seems odd I know, but if you cook them first they'll disintegrate when you fry them. I know this from bitter experience!

i just put the chickpeas spices( cumin chilli flakes and fresh corriander and a garlic clove) in the magimix and blitz. then dust with flour ( ihave some gram flour in the cupboard but ordinary palin flour is ok)form into patties and refridgerate for a few hours before cooking in hot oil( shallow fry)

Ohhh - I have some gram flour!

You need to cook the chickpeas before blitzing them otherwise the falafels will not taste that good....make sure you drain them well though - the water can make the falafel quite soggy otherwise....DH is from Syria and I tried to make falafel from scratch to impress him and failed miserably...I now use the Tahria ready made falafel from Tescos....taste really good and minimum effort on my part!!

Good sauce to go with it that I learnt from MIL - some greek style yohurt, add some crushed garlic (1 clove will do), tahina paste, lemon juice, chopped tomatoes and some parsley...mix and season to taste (just salt, no pepper). Put the falafel into warm pitta, mush down with a fork and add a bit of the sauce......very very tasty!! You will also require chewing gum the next day but what the hell!

Rowan - really? I thought you had to cook them!! Maybe that's why I failed

Ignore my advice then, just stick with the sauce!!

I use tinned chickpeas so don't cook them first but maybe you need to if you are using dried ones?

I had the same misgivings - thought we'd all die horribly of obscure raw-chickpea poisoning - but honestly, it's fine when they're raw. Makes the end product nice and crunchy. Mind you, the flatulence is another matter...

Thank you all so much - The flatulence thing is slightly worrying - DPs workmates have not really forgiven me for hiding jerusalem artichokes in the stew and soup I made the other week

Sausage and broad bean casserole last night.