Vegetarian Recipes

Announcing: The New Cookbook!!!

https://www.loveandlemons.com/announcing-the-new-cookbook/

I’ve been keeping this a secret for a while now, but today’s the day that I can finally tell you about my new cookbook, Love & Lemons Every Day! The main thing that I want you to know about it is that, well… it’s packed with all of my absolute favorite recipes, ones I’ve been obsessively making, eating, serving, and testing nearly every day for the past three years. It’s a big fat beautiful book packed with all-new vibrant veggie recipes (none are on the blog – you’ll only find them in the book) and lots of beautiful visuals to inspire you to make fun, delicious food. It’s coming out April 2nd, and you can pre-order it now!

My approach to this cookbook was very different from the first book. With the first book, I focused all of the recipes on my farmers market finds, and I based dishes solely off that inspiration. With our recent move closer to my family in Chicago, I decided to change things up a bit. With Chicago’s farmers market season being much shorter, as well as having more meals with my extended family, I shifted the focus of this book more towards everyday cooking with vegetables that you can easily find – whether you’re shopping at the grocery store or the farmers market. Of course, the book is full of recipes featuring gorgeous produce, but it’s organized by meal type, so you’ll easily find something yummy to make any day. This means more meals that your whole family will love with vegetables at the center of the plate.

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

U.S.
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound

Canada:
Chapters Indigo / Amazon.ca

International:
Book Depository

eBook:
Apple Books / Google Play / Kindle
Kobo (US) / Kobo (Canada) / Nook

So, what’s in the book?

100+ all-new vibrant recipes that make vegetables insanely delicious!

Love & Lemons Every Day is the perfect book for making any meal, from breakfast to dessert, where vegetables (and/or fruits) are the star. Butternut squash becomes the best queso you’ve ever eaten, broccoli transforms into a zesty green “rice” burrito filling, and sweet potato blends into a smooth chocolate frosting. The book is organized by meal type, including Breakfast, Snacks & Starters, Salads, Soups, Side Dishes, Desserts, Drinks, and Homemade Extras, but the biggest chapter by far is Dinner! Because, when I personally read cookbooks, I’m usually looking for something inspiring to make for dinner, and I wanted to give you lots and lots of plant-forward main dish options.

And speaking of plant-forward options, all of the recipes are vegetarian and nearly all of the recipes have a vegan alternative if the recipe is not vegan already. There are a good amount of gluten-free recipes as well.

Love & Lemons Every Day - my new cookbook!

Go-to guides

If you have our first cookbook, you’re probably familiar with the hummus, smoothie, and pesto charts that are at the back of the book. Everyone loved those (including me!), so I made more! Sprinkled throughout the book are visual charts and guides to show you how to make my favorite kitchen staples. Learn how to roast or grill any vegetable, how to make vegetable stock with whatever you have on hand, and more.

Inspiration to get creative!

Tired of your usual desk lunch? A giant grid of 5-ingredient salad dressings will have you devouring a new salad every day! All the dressings are wonderful to have on hand for throwing together quick meals. You’ll have a great time discovering other uses for them as well. Of course, the dressings are great to pep up your greens, but you’ll also love them on grain bowls or drizzled over roasted vegetables. As I created these dressings (and had a million dressings hanging around my fridge), I had tons of ideas of how to mix and match them to create new recipes. I hope these informative graphics spark that kind of kitchen joy for you too.

Love & Lemons Every Day - my new cookbook!

Fast food

Sometimes you just need a quick, tasty combination of healthy ingredients. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you’re familiar with our Many Ways posts, such as Overnight Oats Many Ways and Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Many Ways. These ‘many-ways’ style concepts (new ones!) appear in the book, too! You’ll see 6 Ways to Scramble, 5 Easy Pasta Favorites, and Fruit Crumbles 4 Ways.

… and slow food

Sometimes you want to pour a glass of wine and spend quality time in the kitchen. This book features an array of more involved recipes for those days. Try the Cozy Vegan Mushroom White Bean Pot Pies, Zucchini Verde Vegan Enchiladas, or explore a collection of special occasion menus.

Love & Lemons Every Day - my new cookbook!

Clever ideas to use the whole vegetable

Not sure what to do with your beet greens and broccoli stalks? I’ve included a section filled with fun ways to use scrap vegetable parts in your everyday cooking – waste not, want not!

A recipe for “insert vegetable here”

Nearly every (easily accessible) vegetable under the sun is featured. Cauliflower and kale are here, but you’ll find tasty ideas for less popular veggies like parsnips, rutabagas, and collard greens, too! Some of my favorites include a hearty meatless rutabaga ragu and a collard green slaw that’s perfect to pack for lunch.

And some sweet treats

The day you get your book, I suggest that you make the Flourless Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies (we constantly have a stash in our freezer), my all-time favorite Lemon Olive Oil Pistachio Cake, or these Vegan Date Brownies:

Love & Lemons Every Day - my new cookbook!

I truly hope you love this book as much as I loved making it for you!

Click one of these links to pre-order the book!

U.S.
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound

Canada:
Chapters Indigo / Amazon.ca

International:
Book Depository

eBook:
Apple Books / Google Play / Kindle
Kobo (US) / Kobo (Canada) / Nook

Praise for Love & Lemons Every Day

“For years, Love & Lemons has been my go-to guide for vegetable-packed inspiration in the kitchen. Love & Lemons Every Day, Jeanine’s latest and most vibrant project yet, is the tangible incarnation of why her work is so popular and appealing. It’s loaded with positive, practical, and passionate recipes that make cooking every day a true joy, as well as endless smart tips for healthier, happier eating!”

– Gail Simmons

“Love & Lemons Every Day is going to be a new staple on my bookshelf. First of all, the recipes are SO GOOD. They’re vegetarian without sacrificing anything, and they’re totally drool-worthy (Lasagna Soup—like what??) but don’t require spending your whole night in the kitchen. Then there are the add-ins, sprinkled throughout the book like delectable little bonus morsels: How to use food scraps and freeze herbs, easy salad dressing formulas, and more. It’s a book that will inspire people to get excited about healthy food, but more importantly, a book that will actually enable them to cook it in their daily lives.”

– Liz Moody

“Being a California girl, Jeanine’s approach to food speaks deep into my heart. Her new book is bright, fresh, and filled with everyday recipes that beautifully celebrate what is so special about cooking with what is in season.”

– Tiffani Thiessen

Vegetarian Recipes

Easy Homemade Falafel

This Easy Homemade Falafel recipe is one of the first recipes I shared on here after getting my food processor 15 years ago, and it’s stood the test of time as a reader favorite. These protein-packed, budget-friendly vegan patties are perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, and they’re so easy to make at home! Traditionally, they’re deep-fried, which gives them a wonderfully crispy exterior with a soft, warm center. I have an irrational fear of deep-frying, so I shallow-fry my falafels in a skillet. They still turn out crispy and delicious, but with less mess and hassle!

What is Falafel?

If you’ve never had falafel before, they’re a classic street food originating from the Middle East. These little fried patties are made of mashed beans (fava or chickpeas/garbanzo) mixed with tons of fresh herbs and spices, like parsley, cilantro, and cumin. They’re browned and crispy on the outside, with a soft center. If you’re veggie, vegan, or trying to reduce your meat intake, homemade falafel is the perfect protein-packed alternative!

My version of this tasty treat is definitely not authentic, as I use canned chickpeas and flour. But if you’d like to try your hand at making authentic falafel or read more about the culture and history behind them, check out this recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.

“These are hands down the best falafels I’ve ever had! They’re easy to make, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside and taste fantastic! I also made your hummus & Greek yogurt sauce to go with them. Stuffed a pita with falafels, hummus, fresh greens and topped with the sauce, All I can say is Wow! Thank you!!”

MaryBeth

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy falafel recipe:

Canned Chickpeas: I always use canned chickpeas because they’re quick (no soaking required), readily accessible, and CHEAP. You can use dried chickpeas if you like; just be sure to soak them overnight and prepare about 3 cups worth (which is equivalent to two standard 15-ounce cans).
Flour: I use all-purpose flour to help bind the mixture together. You can also use chickpea or garbanzo bean flour to keep this recipe gluten-free.
Baking Powder: The combination of canned chickpeas and flour can make the patties quite dense, so I add some baking powder to offset this. It helps create a lighter texture on the inside while still maintaining crispiness on the outside.
Red Onion: Adds a nice bite and texture. Any color onion will work here, but I love the flavor of red onions in this recipe.
Fresh Parsley and Cilantro: These add a fresh and vibrant flavor. Don’t like cilantro? No problem—just use extra parsley. I don’t recommend substituting dried herbs here, as they won’t taste the same fresh.
Garlic: I use four whole cloves, so the garlic flavor certainly isn’t lacking here!
Cooking Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil suitable for frying. Some options include avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
Seasonings: Salt, cayenne pepper, and cumin add flavor with a little kick of heat. Feel free to reduce the amount of cayenne or omit it altogether if you’re sensitive to spice.

Can I Bake Them?

I always get questions about whether you can bake falafel, and I really wouldn’t suggest it. In my testing, I found they don’t get a nice brown crispy exterior like you do with frying, and they can get quite dry. Some readers have had success using the air fryer for about 15 minutes at around 370°F, but I haven’t personally tested this method.

Process the ingredients in batches if you have a smaller food processor. This recipe makes a fairly big batch of falafel mix, and I don’t want you to overwork your food processor! If you have a smaller one, divide the ingredients and process in batches.
Avoid big chunks of ingredients. I like my patties to have some texture, but big pieces of onion or chickpeas can cause them to fall apart when frying. Make sure to process the ingredients until a chunky paste forms.
Don’t skip the flour, and add it in batches. The mixture will hold together without adding flour, but as soon as you cook it, I can almost guarantee the patties will fall apart. You want to add the flour in batches (starting with 2 tablespoons) until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape when formed into balls.
Let the mixture rest. This rehydrates the flour, enhances the flavor, and makes it easier to form into patties. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking. You can even leave it overnight and fry them the next day.
Make sure the oil is hot. One reason I prefer pan-frying over deep frying is because I don’t have to check the oil temperature constantly. However, it’s still important to make sure the oil is hot. It should be hot and shimmering but not smoking. The hot oil immediately creates a crispy crust on the patties when they hit the pan (another trick to help them hold their shape).
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Adding too many patties to the hot oil will cause the temperature to drop and affect the cooking time and texture. I like to cook them in batches, leaving enough space between each one for even cooking.

How to Serve Falafel

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of falafel wraps or flatbread with fresh greens and tahini sauce. But recently, I’ve been making hummus bowls from our white bean hummus, whatever raw veggies I have in the fridge (usually cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers), pickles or pickled red onions, and these yummy little patties. Or, to please a crowd, I love to create a mezze platter with several dips, like tzatziki sauce or baba ganoush, marinated olives, pita bread, crudités, and homemade falafel! They’d also add a delicious, garlicky flavor to just about any salad, but I like one with a tangy dressing, like our Greek salad.

Storage, Freezing, & Reheating

I usually freeze some of the uncooked patties as a grab-and-go option for busy nights. I form the mixture, but instead of frying, I freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid and transfer to a freezer bag. Because they’re only small, you can pan-fry them from frozen without thawing.

Any leftovers (after cooking) should be cooled and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, making them great for meal prep! You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven (best for maintaining the crispy exterior) if desired.

Homemade falafel on top of some hummus with salad.

Homemade Falafel Recipe

This Homemade Falafel recipe packs chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices into a flavorful, Middle-Eastern-inspired patty that’s quick, easy, and delicious.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Middle-Eastern

Total Cost ($3.08 recipe / $0.16 serving)

Prep Time 1 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 40

Servings falafel

Calories 108kcal

Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

Food Processor
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

2 15 oz. cans chickpeas $1.72
¼ red onion $0.26
1 handful fresh parsley, about ¼ bunch $0.26
1 handful fresh cilantro, about ¼ bunch $0.17
4 cloves garlic $0.12
1 tsp salt $0.01
½ tsp cayenne pepper $0.13
1 tsp ground cumin $0.08
1 tsp baking powder $0.04
½ cup flour* $0.07
¼ cup neutral cooking oil for frying $0.22

Instructions

Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor with the red onion, parsley, cilantro, salt, cayenne, garlic and cumin.
Process the mixture until it forms a chunky paste. A little texture to the mixture is usually desirable. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure the mixture is an even texture.
Place the mixture into a bowl and add the baking powder. Begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the mixture becomes cohesive enough to form into patties and not stick to your hands. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Using a small measuring cup or scoop (about 1/8th cup or 2 Tbsp), form the mixture into small patties.
If freezing the patties for later, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet so they can freeze without sticking together. The patties can be transferred to an air-tight container or freezer bag for long-term storage once they have frozen through.
To cook the fresh or frozen patties, heat oil in a skillet (or pot if deep frying) until very hot and shimmering, but not smoking. Cook the patties on each side until deep golden brown and crispy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Chickpea or garbanzo bean flour will give the best flavor and texture, but all-purpose flour can be used in its place.

Nutrition

Homemade falafel in a flatbread with salad.

How to Make Falafel — Step By Step Photos

Overhead view of the ingredients for homemade falafel.

Gather all your ingredients.

Chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, diced red onion, garlic cloves, cumin, cayenne, and salt in a food processor.

Rinse and drain two 15oz. cans of chickpeas (or about 3 cups if cooked from dry) in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor along with a large handful of parsley, a large handful of cilantro, 1/4 of a red onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 1 tsp salt.

Pulse the mixture until you have a chunky paste. Chunks add great texture, but too many will keep the mixture from holding its shape in a patty. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

Falafel mix in a mixing bowl with flour added.

Stir 1 tsp baking powder into the chickpea mixture. Then begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the paste is dry enough to form patties and not stick to your hands. I only used 1/4 cup of flour when I made these recently! Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors blend.

Shaped falafel patties on a baking sheet.

Scoop the mixture into about 2 Tbsp portions and shape into small patties.

Falafel patties in a zip loc bag for freezing.

If you’d like to freeze your falafel, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, then place them in the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage. I got 19 falafel with a 2 Tbsp scoop. I cooked some immediately and froze the rest.

Three falafel patties frying in a pan of oil.

To cook, add enough oil to a skillet to completely cover the surface (one of my favorite pans). Heat over medium until the oil is hot and shimmering. Add the formed patties and cook on each side until brown and crispy.