Hello everyone,
How about meatballs for dinner? Juicy and a little bit spicy, resting atop of Sicilian tomato sauce and a heartwarming pile of spaghetti, basil leaves scattered on top. Yes please, and can I have seconds? Wait, what? Meatballs? Yes, vegetarian meatballs with lentil base but you will never guess they are meatless! It’s unbelievable how tasty they are and it’s the greatest way to use lentil to stay in a healthy mode.
I know, I know what you think. Nah, fake meatballs cannot taste like real one. They are not going to satisfy my craving. They cannot fill and content my Lenten grumbling stomach. You are right, hard to believe but it’s true! Fulfilling lentil goodness penetrated with Sicilian notes. The symphony of rosemary, mushrooms, anchovies, olives and sweet red pepper the marriage planned in heaven!
You are skeptical because you are tired; you are tired of winter, cold, warm coat that you want to substitute with the trench coat; you want spring to finally come and settle, just as the rest of us do.
We are almost there guys. Spring is coming soon and we are going to enjoy our little picnics in the park, boardwalks for those who leave close to the ocean, little outside games with the kids and lots of sunshine, fresh air, gentle wind in your hair and good mood.
Meanwhile, let’s stay away from that nasty flu, by eating healthy, vegetable-based food full of so much needed vitamins and nutrients. You are looking for recipes in a right place. We should stay close together with those we love and support each other the most when we are in a bad mood. During these days before Easter, let’s be strong to fight the temptation to lose our temper with those we love not because they deserve but just because. The best way to bring the family together and remind ourselves how grateful we are that we have one is to invite everyone to a delectable joyous meal of vegetarian meatballs with a Sicilian twist.
After eating this incredible meal, you will become a pinch happier, I promise!
Bon Appétit!
Ingredients
Ingredients for Meatballs
- 3/4 cup dried green lentils
- 1/3 cup rice
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Ingredients for Sicilian sauce
- 1 chili pepper
- 1 red pepper
- 4-5 anchovies canned
- 1 string rosemary
- 1 lb white button mushrooms
- 4 cups (32 oz) tomatoes in their juices
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 black olives with pits
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Rind lentils in a colander under cold running water. Leave lentils overnight in a big pot covered with a large amount of water.
- Prepare your ingredients for meatless meatballs
- Put a pan of water on a high heat and bring to the boil. Rinse rice in a colander under running cold water until the water runs clean. Add rice to the boiling water, reduce heat to medium and boil for 5 min. Drain the rice in a colander and set aside.
- Peel and chop the onion, add olive oil to the pan and sauté onion for 5 min on a low heat until soft and translucent. Meanwhile, peel and grate the carrot and add to the onion when ready. Cook for 4 min; take off the stove to cool down.
- Grind left overnight lentils in a food processor or a food mill.
- Chop parsley, peel and smash the garlic in a garlic masher. Combine grind lentils, rice, sautéed onions with carrots, parsley, garlic, ketchup, salt, pepper in a bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Rinse your hands in a cold water and form your meatballs. You should have approximately 12 balls.
- Prepare your ingredients for a Sicilian sauce.
- Wash and cut mushrooms. Add olive oil to the pan and cook mushrooms on medium heat for 4 -5 min. Meantime, wash and chop basil together with stalks, peel and chop garlic, separate rosemary leaves from the stick, pit the olives (press them with an empty glass, pits will come out easier), deseed and chop chili pepper, deseed and julienne red pepper. Open your anchovies tin. Add all your ingredients to the pan and cook for 5 min.
- Add tomatoes with the juices. Crush tomatoes and mix your sauce well. Add salt and pepper. Cook for 5 min
- Add meatballs to the sauce leaving enough space in between. Make sure sauce is covering meatballs to 3/4 or even better if they are dumbed in the sauce completely (add water if needed).Reduce heat to minimum, cover with lead and simmer for 30-40 min. Meatballs will absorb all the sauce with its flavors and double in size.
- Serve your meatballs with any greens on a side, on a sub, or atop of pasta for warm Italian style Family meal. Bon Appétit!
