There have been long laughs and lots of food, my first symphony experience and drinks at my friends backyard speakeasy. Once the lentils are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and use a potato masher or fork to mash them for 1-2 minutes. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. Pulse until mixture is just combined and the texture is to your liking. Red lentils can be rather touchy. Transfer the lentil mixture to a medium-sized mixing bowl. This summer I decided to upgrade the classic, making a plant based healthier alternative, with lentil meatballs. These lentil meatballs are packed with protein, fiber, micronutrients, and flavor. Hi Kate. Thanks for the recipe! Im late to the Lentil party but pantry had me trying lots of recipes..Hurray! I believe you can make great food that's also good for you. I used dry lentils for this recipe and cooked them myself, but pre-cooked lentils will work just fine and make the process a lot quicker. I appreciate you taking the time to review. Mix to combine and form into small meatballs. Then, in a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. My wife was rather impressed/surprised at the consistency the eggs work wonders to hold it together. Im sorry to hear that, Liz! Cook, flipping the lentil balls to brown them on all sides until they're golden brown, about 4 minutes. Instagram ⋄ Pinterest ⋄ Facebook, Subscribe to our email newsletter! And approval from an actual Swede is huge! Hi Misha, Im not sure I understand what you want to replace. Fry your onions and garlic for another minute until cooked and translucent. While no, I wouldnt say they taste like real meatballs, they are just (I would say more) delicious, and I bet you wont be missing the meat! I made your marinara sauce and let the balls slowly reheat in the sauce. Cook lentils: Rinse your lentils then add to a pot of water with a bay leaf. Even non-vegetarian relatives will love them and ask you for . Saut for 2 - 3 minutes. I have never been a traditional meatball eater and probably never will, but this lentil meatballs recipe appeals to me as a hearty vegetarian alternative. I havent tried it, so I cant say for sure. Bring mixture to a boil. Add your reserved lentils to the mixture and stir once more until combined. 1 tbs ground flax: 3 tbs water. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Place them on a prepared baking sheet. 10 minutes). I hope you give these a try! Freezer: Let meatballs cool completely then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Were ok, and so is the other driver, thankfully. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Ive made three batches of these meatballs so far; the first was a little bland and fell apart too easily on the plate for my liking. Pulse until the mixture is combined and the texture is to your liking. Always free Unsubscribe anytime, The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Any suggestions for what I could use instead of the red wine (due to pregnancy). Add broth, water, lentils, remaining salt, thyme, parsley and bay leaves. https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/web-stories/lentil-meatballs/. Would you recommend flax egg? Add the chicken stock, lentils, garlic and rosemary to the roasted fennel. Quick question, how many days do they keep for in the fridge? Hubby actually likes them better than meatballs- thats a win!! Haha! But this an awesome recipe taste great. Once cooked remove from stovetop to cool. Quick question though: do you think I could omit the oil in this recipe? Or can I omit? OR pan fry in a little oil in a large pan over medium heat, being careful to get all sides exposed to the surface and not burned. While lentils are cooking toast the walnuts by spreading them onto a baking sheet and placing them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, until fragrant. They should be soft, but still have a bit of bite, and definitely not falling apart. This recipe gave him his meatball fix though! What do you think about adding an egg to help bind them together? When I first set out on my mission, the goal was not to make a vegetarian version. Youve done it again, Kate :) Im pregnant and have been craving meatballs for a week now. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Kate, Ive made this recipe a few times with the omission of mushrooms as I am allergic, however my husband and I cannot seem to get enough of it!! Once hot, add 1 tablespoon oil (or water), shallot and garlic. So, get your lentils ready, and lets get into it. Ingredients 18 oz 510.29 g canned lentils, washed and drained 2 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 1/2 onion, minced (small, red, or white) 2 tablespoons 32.75 ml tomato paste 1/4 cup 14.98 g fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 tsp 1 g dried thyme 1 tsp 2.60 g all purpose flour (more as needed, or GF flour) . Tried this the other night for guests and they were a big hit! Remove and add to the lentils. Were a mother-daughter duo from Colorado looking to inspire and guide others to live healthy, wholesome, and happy lives! (Dont worry, you want the lentils to be a little undercooked.) Question, though. Hi Kate..I love all your recipes. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Scoop 1 Tablespoon at a time and shape into a meatball and place on a prepared baking sheet. I havent tried it. I had these amazing white bean vegan meatballs (I think also with a little onion, mushrooms, some spices..?) You can serve them on top of a grain bowl, salad, or with spaghetti for a classic pairing. Feel free to taste the mixture and add more seasoning to your liking, Form golf ball sized balls/patties with your hands, Choose your cooking method: Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes on a greased sheet pan, flipping half way and broiling for the last couple minutes to get crispy. Pulse until combined. Add the garlic about a minute more, then mix in the black pepper, oregano, salt and brown sugar. Cook until nicely brown all around the meatball. I think maybe it is because I soaked the lentils. Luann. Also will flax eggs work here instead of real? Im excited you like them! I LOVED it. You want to be left with a sticky mixture, just like any other meatball. I dont see any reason not, but I just wondered if anyone else had frozen them. You can blend until mostly smooth or leave a few chunks in for added texture. FYI.. on our first go around our family enjoyed them with pasta.. the next night we put them in a calzone with buffalo sauce. We added a note about gluten-free flour in the recipe. With your mixing bowl, add all your ingredients together. Add the mushrooms to the veggies and cook, stirring frequently, for 15 more minutes. Use your hands or a fork to mash the lentils but not too much. :) Thank you, Jasmine for the review! Checkout our Meal Plans. Organic lentils cost $1.39 a pound in bulk at my local healthfood store. Combine ingredients: Add your cooked lentils (reserve cup for later), veggies, walnuts, oats, tamari, tomato paste, ground flaxseed, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and all the herbs and spices to a food processor. Pasta with marinara sauce has been a favorite since childhood, though in adult years Ive added loads of veggies and, oddly enough, lentils to the mix. I definitely plan to make these!! Tip them into a bowl, add red onion, chutney and breadcrumbs. Top with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast. i serve over spag squash with homemade marinara and vegan parm. Chop eggplant into bite sized pieces and add to the skillet. Add the remaining cup of tomatoes and cook a further 10 minutes. Hi! How to Make the Meatballs Begin by cooking the lentils in a saucepan with enough water to cover the lentils by at least 1 inch (2.5 cm). Then, use a coffee grinder or small blender cup to grind sunflower seeds into a powder. Oh, the marinara on these would be delicious. I would recommend checking out the comments from other readers to see what they say has worked for them. Kids gobbled them up. While lentil cooks, finely chop parsley. I love tossing them into salads, wraps, pasta bowls, or with zucchini noodles and marinara sauce for a plant-packed meal. Great question! Turn the heat off. Add in the onion mixture and mix. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil, then add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Hi everyone I hope you enjoy today's recipe . Hi Kate, I SO agree with you that the effort is worth it (food processor + stove + oven :) ! (You will not be subscribed to our email newsletter.). Remove from heat. I am probably the last one standing that doesnt have a food processor :) Had one years ago, but at 72 I dont really want to buy another appliance-no room on kitchen counter. Hi Kate, Thats good to know, Beth. Ive been vegetarian for 45 yrs and already have all the ingredients! After 5-10 minutes remove from heat and let them cool. Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 1 month. Add the meatballs to the pot and cook, turning them two or three times, until they are browned all over, about 3 minutes total. Ingredients 1 cup dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed 1 bay leaf 2 cups vegetable broth (or water) 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (or white mushrooms), sliced cup old-fashioned oats cup flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 teaspoon dried oregano teaspoon red pepper flakes teaspoon dried thyme . Saut vegetables: Heat oil over medium heat in a medium skillet and cook all the vegetables together until softened and fragrant. Meatballs and soup simmering harmoniously! Once the paste is ready, roll it into meatballs and place on an oiled baking tray. Inspiring healthy, balanced, and fulfilling lifestyles. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Thank you for sharing, Juanita. Num! All rights reserved. These are so good and satisfying! Some more of the lentils are set aside to make these again. More importantly, albeit this was about 4 years ago, Im glad youre okay <3, Still sweet, even if a little late! I love the red wine and soy sauce flavours in this recipe paired with the herbiness, its such a winner. Serve with ample marinara sauce or pesto, on their own or on a bed of pasta. You can keep the oven on as youll be using it later. Turkish-style patties with lentil and rice. Toast walnuts: Preheat your oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you do, snap a pic and We really liked these but there was too much liquid so they wouldnt form balls. I personally dont find noodles freeze well. Add them to spaghetti, make a wrap or serve them with your favorite sauce as an appetizer. From these Baked Turkey Meatballs and Vegetarian Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs to my Quinoa Spinach Meatballs, I am slowly but surely trying just about every meatball recipe in the book. In a bowl, combine lamb, bacon, water, garlic, mint, parsley, spices and seasoning. I didnt see her coming. Thanks! They take a while, but its 100S% worth it. Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes for a Non-Traditional Thanksgiving, BEET IT: Why you should eats beets and how to incorporate them into your diet, Marbled Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread, Beet Brownies: A heart-healthy treat to celebrate Valentines Day. Once your lentils have cooled down for a bit, measure out 2 cups and put them in a food processor. Mixed, formed, or fully cooked? If you love lentils, you will want to try these recipes next: * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. These Meatless lentil meatballs are packed with delicious Flavors' and so simple to put togetherTo Support Cook. I liked the idea of lentil meatballs with lots of mushrooms, and a relatively small proportion of gluten-free oats instead of the standard bread crumbs. I chose the blender, I had to set it on the lowest power and procede in small batches. I dont know if either of those will get the ingredients to the coarseness you need them to be. Saut for 2-3 minutes, or until onions are translucent. I do have a Immersion blender and an old blender too. Wish I had a better solution! They dont crumble and hold together well without any usual binders like breadcrumbs or eggs. If you have a question, please skim the comments sectionyou might find an immediate answer there. 2 cups brown or green lentils (divided) cooked, drained and cooled 1 teaspoon dried oregano teaspoon dried parsley cup fresh basil or teaspoon dried 3 Tbsp vegan parmesan cheese cup oat flour 1 teaspoon coconut aminos Instructions Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. All you need are a few key ingredients: Lentil meatballs are easy, nutritious, and incredibly tasty. 3. Thank you, Taylor! I make these often, they are fab! (Talk about a holy grail.). If you made the recipe, please choose a star rating, too. Jamie Oliver Salmon With Prosciutto and Lentils, Masoor Pulao (Layered Minced Lamb and Lentils With Rice). Cook the lentils according to package instructions or bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium . Bring to boil over high heat. Tag us using @SlenderKitchen or #slenderkitchen. Bring to the boil and turn down to a simmer. Put the lentils in a medium saucepan with 2 1/2 cups water. We have a nut allergy in the family and my kids arent big seed fans. Add the basil to the sauce and stir through, then transfer into a shallow serving bowl. Is there a good substitute for the red wine? Pulse oats in food processor until flour substance, then transfer to a bowl. The third batch further amplifies the flavor and simplifies the steps. Instructions. Be sure to check out all of the lentil recipes as well as the full collection of vegan recipes on EBF! I used an ice cream scoop but I dont know how you would use your hands to form them. Add kale. Add onion & cook for a couple minutes until soft. Right out of the oven they fell apart a little too easily BUT today, for lunch, doused in my marinara? These are great! Hearty, tasty, with tons of umami. Do you think either one of these would work, esp. What can I substitute the red one for in the meatball recipe? Oh my gosh this recipe is amazing. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Wipe the skillet clean using paper towel after they are cooked. Pulse until the lentils have broken down and have a smooth consistency throughout, Pour the wet mixture into a large bowl. Finished off to perfection with a creamy spiced tomato sauce, this chicken meatballs dish will not disappoint! They hold together well, are super flavorful and the texture is quite similar to traditional meatballs. In a food processor, combine the mushrooms, oats, lentils, parsley and spices (oregano, red pepper flakes, thyme and tarragon). Also, I added grated mozzarella cheese and pine nuts to it which made them even tastier. Place in oven for about 15 minutes, pulling out every 5 minutes to give them a stir so they cooked on all sides. Some other recipe ideas for lentils include my lentil and cauliflower curry, lentil soups, lentil bolognese, lentil veggie burgers, or even lentil tacos! Im wondering if they can be frozen to enjoy later on? This recipe has flour in it, which makes in NOT gluten free. To . Return soup to a boil. Sounds delicious! Thanks. Packed with lentils, garlic, onion, tomato paste, all-purpose flour, and a handful of fresh herbs and spices, these vegan lentil meatballs are a delicious source of protein and fiber. About Contact Cookbook Recipes Shop Subscribe, Cookie and Kate receives commissions on purchases made through our links to retailers. How to Make these Lentil Meatballs Starting out: saut the onion and garlic in a little bit of olive oil. I think it is safe to say that I am on a roll with meatballs. Then, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Great question. Quite a few dirty dishes but so worth it as I can eat 3-4 times out of the portion, so perfect for meal prep! Serve over pasta with spaghetti sauce. Thanks! Pulverize the lentils into mush and then put them in a large mixing bowl. Hi, I havent tried it with this recipe so I cant say if it will work or not. Highly recommended, and I would love it if you found a way to incorporate a similar recipe into your blog! Packed with flavor and texture similar to regular meatballs but theyre vegan! There are different types of lentils, but I would suggest red or green in this recipe. Use your hands to form golf-ball sized meatballs. This herb blend is made from dried Italian herbs. All it takes is swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative or rolled oats (Bobs Red Mill oats are my fave). Get notified about new recipes and blog posts! The spices are on point. Curry Meatballs with Lentils. Put them on cauliflower puree topped with mushroom gravy. Cookie and Kate is a registered trademark of Cookie and Kate LLC. My husband and daughters loved it, even my 9-year-old who doesnt like black bean burgers ate it without complaint! Heat extra olive oil in a pan and saute the meatballs in batches in a single layer. If the soup thickens too much, add a bit more liquid and heat for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. I will make them again, but will double all the spices next time (or quadruple, since I will make another double batch!). Also loved the convenience of the canned lentils. These were delicious, I was never a big fan of actual beef meatballs but my mum is and we both loved these they suit vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I can do this! Meat with Lentils, 4 simple recipes. When finished cooking, remove from heat, discard the bay leaf and set the lentils aside to cool. Now it's time to shape. Thanks for another awesome recipe. Would water work well enough to not try them out? Thanks so much for this recipe! Bonus: theyre gluten free, which a lot of commercial veg meatballs arent! Meanwhile, prepare meatballs: combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until mixed. Required fields are marked *. These stuck REALLY bad to the pan so I lost a big chunk of each ball that stuck. Then, line a tray with parchment paper and place the lentil meatballs onto the paper, leaving space between each one. Heat a pan with 4-3 Tbsp of oil. That sounds like an amazing meal, Melissa. Whenever I take a hiatus from blogging, I tend to over-think the recipe that announces my return. This recipe was a little buried and it should be front and center. My husband and I absolutely loved these meatballs! Add the remaining 1/4 cup Mazola Corn Oil and the meatballs into the same skillet. Your email address will not be published. Turn the heat off and set aside. Moving on, add all of the remaining ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until mixed together. These sound delicious! Stir to combine, then season with teaspoon salt. To store your leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then you can seal them up in an airtight storage container or bag. Please change your labels. Stress Free Weekly Meal Plans for Busy Homes. These turned out even better than I could have hoped- such great flavor in every bite! Im so glad that flax swap-out worked so well, Katelin. Awesome! Form into balls and placing them on prepared sheets in a single layer until mixture is all gone. The consistency is perfect and they hold together really well. Mix until combined. Are you sure you want to delete your comment? Serve in corn tortillas with. Thanks for your comment and review, Samantha. Step #2 - Let the cooked lentil quinoa mixture cool for a few minutes. I will use an egg replacer or chia or something for aa binder, but since they were a lot of work I would like to be able to have some on hand. In a large pot, bring three quarts of water and the lentils to a boil. Lay them on the prepared baking sheet. 1 tsp salt. Transfer the eggplant mixture to food processor with lentils, olives, lemon juice, tamari and tahini. Using a tablespoon or cookie dough scoop, scoop the mixture into equal portions and roll them into evenly sized meatballs. Let me know if you try it. Cook the lentils according to the packet instructions. All Rights Reserved. Step 3: Mash and form meatballs. My husband asked me to make this a part of my repertoire. Hi Kate was wondering if these lentil mushroom meatballs would be Bain Marie stable while sitting in a Marinara sauce.so they dont dry out, Or would they fall apart after sitting in the sauce.want to serve with fettuccine for a family get together as we are having a few main meals to choose from if one is ready to go thats one I dont have to worry about if you know what I mean. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Please try again. I will take it into consideration for this fall/winter! Thanks Kate! And all the other varieties of lentils are not commonly found at most grocery stores. Assemble your bowl with lettuce or arugula, cucumber, tomato, red cabbage, bell pepper, onion, and lentil balls. I didnt have cremini mushrooms so I used mixed dried mushrooms which I reconstituted, squeezed and let drain for about 20 minutes. Pulse/blend until the mixture is pretty well pulverized but not mush (see photos). This dish was absolutely delish! Sometimes the lentils arent perfect or have not great ones in the batch. must I ue the tarragon? Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Im just disappointed that ounces and cups are mixed. These are delicious in sandwiches and wraps! Thank you! It looks sooooo good! Excited to try them with something other than red sauce(thinking pesto over sauteed kale). I cant vouch that these lentil meatballs will take the Make the meatballs: Preheat oven to 400 F. In a food processor, pulse the quinoa and half the lentils until the texture is that of coarse sand. Besides that: yogurt. Let me know how the meatballs turned out, ok? 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large onion, and 1 Tbsp salt It is made of olive oil. saucepan, add the lentils, cover, reduce to a light simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender. Serve meatballs immediately over spaghetti noodles and sauce, in a wrap, on a salad or as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. :). With the cold weather and the trauma, Ive been craving comfort foods. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoon olive oil. I made them last week and we all enjoyed them. Just wondering if I could sub in ground sauteed mushrooms for the walnuts?