Falafel Pita Sandwich With Cucumber Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

CUCUMBER SAUCE
1/2 cup vinegar (I like apple cider vinegar)
2 tablespoons fresh dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
3 tablespoons grated onions
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
PATTIES
1 medium potato, nuked and peeled
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (if you don't like heat, use banana pepper or poblano pepper)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced (plan on using the whole bunch, Zaar editor doesn't do BUNCH)
2 (19 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and well smashed
1 tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 lemon, juice of
BUILDING THE SANDWICH
6 whole wheat pita bread, cut in half
2 cups shredded lettuce
12 slices tomatoes

Preparation

CUCUMBER DRESSING: Mix vinegar, dill, onions and pepper in a bowl.
Add cucumber slices and marinate overnight.
Drain; discard liquid. Stir in yogurt. Makes about 4 cups; more than enough for the sandwiches.
FALAFEL PATTIES: Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
Microwave potato for about 3 minutes; cool, peel and mash with a fork. Set aside.
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat and saute onions, jalapeno and garlic till soft; about 3 minutes. Stir in parsley and saute another minute.
In a large bowl, combine beans with onion mixture; mix well.
Stir in mashed potato, yogurt, paprika and lemon juice.
Form into 24 patties using 2 tablespoons mixture for each. (It's easier to spoon 2 tablespoons on baking sheet and form into rounds).
Place patties on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes; turn patties over and bake for another 10 minutes.
Assemble sandwiches by placing 2 patties in each pita half. Top with lettuce and 1 tomato slice. Serve with cucumber dressing.
Serving = 2 pita halves with 4 patties and toppings.