It took me ages to think of what to cook for this years Virtual Vegan Potluck. You may have noticed I have been a bit absent from the kitchen recently, I have some big things going on in my life outside of the blogging world but I will share this with you another time!! (infact probably in a weeks time eeek!)
To quickly recap, the virtual vegan potluck is an online potluck party bringing attention to how awesome vegan food can be. 85 bloggers and cooks have put together a dish for thir chosen course and the readers get to scroll through the party from start to finish. In my post below are two buttons, one takes you forward to the next appetiser and one takes you backwards to the previous appetiser. Every post will have scroll buttons so you can do one big party circle! Or of course you can start at the beginning by clicking HERE 🙂
I always love making canapes, especially for potluck parties, because you can make the tray look really pretty and everyone can have an equally portioned piece without the need for slicing or scooping food on to a plate. So I decided canapes it would be! I made canapes for a previous virtual vegan potluck and it was well received so I hope you enjoy these ones just as much!
I wanted to use the featured ingredient “citrus fruits” but with an appetiser I thought it would be best to keep it subtle. These walnut and borlotti falafel are sat on a disc of beetroot and a slather of lemon and garlic vegan mayo, a perfect combination of earthy nuts, sweet beetroot and tangy but smooth mayo. I have used the term falafel loosely because these do not contain chickpeas or any other traditional falafel ingredients but they are made of beans and they are round!
Walnuts are everywhere at the moment and they have a particuarly festive feel to them. I don’t have a nut cracker so I bashed mine with a pestle and mortar!! Even more fun I think 🙂 Walnuts are high in protein, fibre and essential fatty acids and, in my humble opinion, are one of the most delicious nuts readily available.
They are great in savoury foods such as these falafal or salads with lentils and they also work perfectly in desserts with berries and chocolate. I cracked open more than I needed so I could just snack on them too, they’re great thrown on muesli or porridge.
Finally here is the recipe for my walnut falafal balls:
1 Can Borlotti Beans
80g Walnuts (removed from shells)
1 Onion
1 large carrot
1 tbspn Flour
1/2 tspn Garlic Powder
1/2 tspn Dried Thyme
Salt and Pepper
Vegan mayo
1 Lemon
1 Garlic clove
Crusty Baguette
Cooked Beetroot
In a blender add the beans and blitz until a fine crumb texture then add the walnuts and roughly chopped onion and blitz again to break everything down. Stop before it’s a paste as you don’t want it too wet.
Tip into a large bowl then grate the carrot into the bowl with the flour, garlic, thyme and seasoning. Mix thoroughly with your hands really squishing it together to help it bind together. I found mine came together fine as the flour acts as a good binding agent but if you feel it is too dry then add a splash of water.
Shape into balls and fry in shallow some olive oil until golden brown and hot throughout.
To make the mayo I simply used shop bought vegan mayo and squeezed in some lemon huice (and lemon zest if you want) and then I grated in some garlic. Mix it well and you have a gorgeous garlic and lemon mayo.
To assemble thinly slice some crusty baguette and spread with the mayo, top with a slice of cooked/ pickled beetroot and place a falafel on top!
Scroll forward to visit ‘Veggie Inspired Journey’ or scroll back to visit ‘Brays of our Lives’. Enjoy the rest of the party and make sure you have food to hand because I promise your tummy will be rumbling very shortly.
Oh I’d love to have a bite into on of these! I think the flavours work well together and they look like they come together quickly too!
Thanks!! They were simple to make and would definitely look nice at a party 🙂 x
Those cute falafel sliders look great!
Thanks Bianca!
Wow! You had me at “falafel slider” but each addition just got better and better! Such a great combination…my mouth is watering *drool* pinning this to make soon!
Yay thats great Kyra! Glad you like the look of them, have fun making them 🙂
These are gorgeous! Happy VVP!
Thank you!! 🙂
Wow – these looks so delicious! Happy VVP!
Cheers Amy, glad you liked them 🙂
Great job! Sliders are delicious!! Sounds like a good combo of flavors!
Thanks!! I love anything in mini versions! Means you can eat more of them 😉
Ahhh this is such a good idea! I bet the beet takes it to a whole other level. Yum!
Thank you!! I really liked the texture of the beetroot with the falafel 🙂 x
What a beautiful appetizer! All the different colors and textures–love it!
Thank you 🙂 🙂 I like colourful food!
These look so utterly delicious! I can just imagine the epic flavor walnuts add to falafel.
Thankyou! I love walnuts, we have them in salads alot and they go great in falafel. Especially with garlic mayo mmm
Those look absolutely fantastic!
Thanks Somer! Hope you enjoyed the VVP x
Yummm! I love the addition of the beets! Happy VVP!
Thanks! They add a nice smooth sweetness to contrast the falafel 🙂
What a delightful spin on falafel! This would be perfect to serve as finger food. Also, it may be a coincidence, but I love that in addition to the lemon you included last potluck’s featured ingredient (beets)!
Oh yeah! lol I didn’t even think of that 🙂 thanks for commenting x
These look great!
Cheers Dianne! 🙂
Wow, Becky, they look so good and such a creative dish!!
Thanks Poppy!! Welldone again for all your hard work on the VVP x
These look really great!!
Thanks Monetta!! 🙂
These look yummy.Great party food. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Cheers Lorna, thank you for all your comments in 2014 🙂 hope you had a good christmas x
Yum! These sound and look amazing!
Thanks Jenn! I enjoyed eating them… all to myself hehe! x
I love the way these look and will definitely try making those falafel balls. They’re going on my pinterest board right now. Yum!!
Awesome thank you. Hope you enjoy them when you try them!
I think you’ve kinda outdone yourself here, lady!!
Thank you for organising yet another wonderful event! I always enjoy taking part!! Glad you liked the recipe x