Okay, as I'm typing that I'm laughing. Do I mean that I unwittingly teased Kav with the hint of Lentil Balls or that I am unwitted meaning I have no wits.
*SMH*
Anyone else have to stop and think anytime they see those initials. LOL I know. But *SMH makes me, well SMH.
So, Lentil Balls.
Every year for Thanksgiving, the vegan girl and I dig into the recipe books looking for something new to share while the others eat turkey and ham. This year, for Christmas, we didn't want the standard nut loaf. Instead we decided on a recipe she found for lentil balls.
To be precise, we made Lentil mushroom walnut balls with cranberry pear sauce. They come from the Oh She She Glows Cookbook and you can find her recipe and a wonderful picture tight here.
For anyone unfamiliar with this cookbook, it is amazing. We call it the cookbook that never fails. We have yet to make a recipe that isn't just out of this world fabulous. (Although if you love to see recipe fails, she does show a pretty epic pie explosion on the page with the lentil balls!)
Since you have her recipe, I'll just give our photos.
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| Disclaimer: we used pecans instead of walnuts. |
My favorite part was the leftovers. That's where I got creative.
The first night I spread plain hummus on pita bread, added the smashed lentil balls and added some roasted red cabbage. That was delicious, but I was so busy eating, I forgot to take photos!
As I'm typing this, I'm eating defrosted lentil balls on pita with lemon rosemary hummus, beets, and beet greens. YUM! (And sshhhhh - so very healthy!)
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| Two mini pitas spread with this luscious hummus. |
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| Frozen lentil balls |
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| These beet greens were so gorgeous in the January market! |
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| I chiffonaded the leaves and boiled briefly. |
Added on the oven-roasted slices of beet and Voila!
Chiffonade. Isn't that just a fancy sounding word, Mary Cate. I love to chiffonade things, especially herbs. But it's even more fun to say. Chiffonade. Yep, I like that word.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I did not click on the link, I do have to say that I am intrigued by these lentil balls and only partly because I love just about anything in ball form. Looks like I'm going to have to click on that link after all.
Okay, I couldn't stand it so I went and looked a the recipe. And between the mushrooms, nuts and garlic, this sounds pretty darn good. Except I've never cooked, let along bought lentils in my life. I think I've seen them on the bean aisle at the grocery store, but not sure if they were green or not. We're talking uncharted territory, that's for sure.
DeleteMindy, if you can make rice, you can make lentils. They're that easy. Rinse. Boil. Use.
DeleteAnd I'm glad you caved and looked at the website. She makes everything look so tempting!
DeleteCatchy title there, Miss Cate! :-) But you're teasing again --
ReplyDeletewhat on earth does SMH stand for??? I love Oh She Glows recipe book...I've borrowed it from the library several times. Must just buy my own copy. That recipe sounds scrumptious and versatile. Gah though that it has nuts in it. Okay for me but my daughter is allergic. :-( And she's vegan which makes it extra hard 'cause a lot of the great recipes and the new milks and cheeses are all nut based. I'm going to make this though -- looks like I could freeze some too. And smoosh them into a patty for a burger. This might be something appealing for my next potluck. I always worry about what people will think of my vegetarian offerings.
Kav, I asked my daughter and she suggested substituting sunflower seeds for the nuts. I think that would taste great.
Delete*SMH = shaking my head
SMH -- who knew? Thanks about he tip of using sunflower seeds. I'll try that and let you know what happens!
DeleteThese do look good! And thanks for the suggestions for several ways to eat them.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm the only one in the house who likes lentils. And mushrooms. And hummus. I guess that just means there will be more for me to enjoy!
Absolutely, Jan. And you can freeze them so they'd make a quick lunch. They remind me of eating falafel, which I love!
DeleteThe beet leaves... I bought a salad pack two weeks ago and the beet greens were terrible... and I didn't remember them being terrible. But maybe I was in crooked memory focus...
ReplyDeleteTHESE LOOK MARVELOUS!!!!
I love lentil soup. I love the rich old flavor of it, so I bet I'd like these, Cate. And you did such a great job of showcasing them!!!!
Thanks for sharing this!
You're kind, Ruthy, ignoring the part where I accidentally sent all the pictures sideways.
DeleteYes, these were THE most amazing beet greens I've ever had. Deep in the heart of winter.
Mary Cate, those greens are gorgeous! And the lentil balls looks really good, too! I'll definitely check out the cookbook. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDelete