Falafel Sliders with Avocado Hummus

(Serves 4)
Middle East meets California in these fun and flavorful Falafel Sliders. Jazzed up with fresh Avocado Hummus and a splash of creamy Tahini Sauce, these miniburgers are dressed to impress. If you want to ditch the bun, serve them over rice for a gluten-free Greek plate. The Falafel Sliders can be made in advance and frozen for up to 1 month or kept refriger- ated for 3 to 4 days until ready to cook. The Tahini Sauce can be made in advance and kept refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
Falafel Sliders Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, divided
½ red onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, quartered 5 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained ½ cup packed fresh Italian parsley 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ cup garbanzo or other flour 2 tablespoons olive oil
Avocado Hummus Ingredients:
¼ cup chickpeas, reserved from sliders 1 avocado, pitted and peeled ⅓ cup packed fresh Italian parsley ¼ cup olive oil 1 clove garlic 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Tahini Sauce Ingredients:
½ cup tahini ½ cup water 1 clove garlic 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon salt 14 slider buns or dinner rolls sliced in half, toasted 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
Directions:
Falafel Sliders: 1. Reserve 1⁄4 cup chickpeas for the Avocado Hummus. 2. Place remaining chickpeas, onions, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and flour in a food processor and pulse until combined, stopping frequently to scrape down sides. 3. Using the palms of your hands, form mixture into 2-inch by 1⁄2-inch patties. 4. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and pan-fry patties in batches, letting cook about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. (Do not crowd the pan.) 5. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
Avocado Hummus
1. Combine 1⁄4 cup chickpeas, avocado, parsley, oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne in food processor and puree. (Adjust seasoning to taste.) Tahini Sauce:
1. Puree tahini, water, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. To serve: Layer the Falafel Sliders, Avocado Hummus, Tahini Sauce, and sliced tomato on
the buns.