Spinach Ricotta And Chickpea Meatless Balls Recipes

SPINACH, RICOTTA AND CHICKPEA 'MEATLESS' BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200° C.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place all ingredients except for eggs, breadcrumbs, and garlic granules in a large bowl, and combine. Taste and adjust season as needed.
• Mix in eggs and approximately 1/2 the breadcrumbs. If the mixture seems too dry, add a glug more oil. If it seems too wet, add more crumbs, ensuring you save enough to coat balls.
• On a plate, combine remaining breadcrumbs and garlic granules
• Using a large soup/tablespoon, scoop out equal portions of batter and roll into balls.
• Roll balls in crumb mixture to coat.
• Place balls on tray and bake for 45 minutes, flipping about half-way through. Balls should be golden brown all over. Depending on how moist the mixture is they may flatten a little, but will still taste great!
• Serve with your favourite pasta, sauce and extra parmesan.

VEGETARIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bring 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the bulgur, remove from heat, cover and let sit until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, pressing to remove excess water, then let cool.
• Prepare the coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the oil, 1/2 cup bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan; mix until well blended and crumbly. Set aside.
• Prepare the meatballs: In a food processor, pulse garlic until finely chopped. Add mushrooms, and pulse until chopped, with pea-size pieces remaining (do not purée). Transfer to a large bowl. Add the chickpeas to the food processor, pulse, then add them to the mushrooms. Add the remaining 1/3 cup breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan, plus the bulgur, egg, ricotta, fennel seeds, oregano, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water; mix until well blended.
• Form the meatball mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (you should have about 24). Roll meatballs in the coating, pressing gently to adhere, then arrange on a greased baking sheet. Bake, turning halfway through, until golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce, for dipping.

CHICKPEAS WITH BABY SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, tomato paste and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring for one to two minutes, until fragrant and the tomato paste has turned a darker color. Add the chickpeas, the stock or water, and the cayenne, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer 10 minutes.
• Stir in the spinach, a handful at a time, stirring until each addition of spinach wilts. Add salt to taste and simmer uncovered, stirring often, for five minutes. Add lots of freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt and cayenne, and serve.