Broccoli Meatballs
These meatless balls, rather, pack a serious protein-punch....depending on the size of your balls. (Just be glad Mark isn't writing this piece.) Seriously, up to 18 g of protein per ball, who needs the meat! Best way to grind almonds: buy slivered blanched raw almonds and use a high-powered blender like a Vitamix - don't blend too much or you'll end up with almond butter. I eat these with the tomato sauce for dinner, pop a couple for a snack and crumple them in a salad. I spotted this recipes in Vegetarian Times. So glad I did since it's so so good.
Ingredients
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3-4 cups broccoli florets (1 large head)
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1 cup blanched slivered almonds
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
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¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
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2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
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â…› tsp. cayenne pepper
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2 large eggs
Garlic-Tomato Sauce
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1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
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¼ cup diced white onion
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1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
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1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Steam broccoli for 10 minutes, or until tender and bright green. Cool. Use 3 cups of broccoli if you want them less broccoli-y.
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Pulse almonds in food processor until finely ground. Transfer to large mixing bowl.
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Add Parmesan, basil, parsley, garlic, and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Mix well.
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Pulse steamed broccoli in food processor until chopped. Transfer to bowl with mixture.
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Whisk eggs in small bowl, then stir eggs into broccoli mixture.
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Shape mixture into 16-30 meatballs by hand to hold their shape. Place on prepared baking sheet, and bake 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
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To make Garlic-Tomato Sauce: Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add tomatoes and their juice, and cook 20 minutes, or until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Serves: 4-10 (small meatballs for appetizers)
Time: 45 with prep
HEARTFUL RECIPE – Contains parm. If you're allergic to dairy, find an alternative veggie cheese (I have yet to find a good shreaded one). If you're not allergic, but just avoid dairy, I count this amount in my 10%, eat up and enjoy. – One of our real food recipes that focuses on veggies, protein, healthy fats and/or healthy carbs and doesn't include gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, corn or peanuts.
Write-up by Pam.