If we talk about options to replace meat in kitchen classics, this is one of them. Prepare in a simple way some magnificent vegan lentil meatballs. Ideal for all kinds of dishes, whether they are sauces, stews, rice, salads and much more.
Let’s talk about the recipe:
Preparing this recipe is easy because it has no complications in terms of its preparation, and it has more than one advantage. The ingredients used are just a few and often used, easy to find in any market. In addition, you can change any of them according to preference or need without inconvenience.
About the ingredients:
The lentils, this time the brown ones with thin skin. But you can use any variety, whether they are pardina, castilian, blond, green (puy), red, yellow, black (beluga) lentils, etc. Which previously may or may not soak. Although if you choose to skip this step, the cooking time will consequently be different, prolonging it.
Certainly, both soaking and cooking times fluctuate depending on the variety of lentil (see notes). Then it is advisable to read the instructions on the package or know the lentil that is going to be used before starting with the recipe. However, you can use canned lentils and skip this step.
Another ingredient in this recipe is raw and grated carrot. Which brings more than one benefit: flavor, consistency and body to the preparation. But you can choose another ingredient as long as it does not add a significant amount of liquid to the preparation and therefore makes it impossible to mold the meatballs.
Meatballs:
One of the secrets of these meatballs is the consistency of the preparation. Since the firmer the preparation, the fewer additions will be needed to obtain it. And as a result, we will obtain light and tasty meatballs. That is why it is so important that the lentils are cooked to the point, that is, they are left with a certain firmness but without being raw or overcooked.
Therefore, once the lentils are cooked, the excess liquid is removed and, if necessary, they are placed on a kitchen cloth to dry. Then, in a container with a fork or potato masher, smash them a bit, but without completely crush them up like a purée. Rather, if there are some whole ones being noticed in the preparation, it will give it distinction.
In itself, lentils are a bit bland, so you will need ingredients that add flavor but without subtracting consistency. For this reason, it is important to use condiments, whether dehydrated or fresh, and thus obtain a tasty result. If you want to use garlic or onion, it is advisable to use powder.
About Cooking:
Perhaps for some reason, the mixture is not firm enough to assemble the meatballs. Then you will need of some ingredient that absorbs moisture and provides firmness. For example, chickpea flour, cassava starch, corn starch, chia flour, rice breadcrumbs, rice flour, vegan breadcrumbs, boiled rice, oatmeal etc.
Although it is not necessary to cook when flours and starches are not used, among the cooking options could be the oven, grill, pan or boil them. This time they were sealed in a pan as if it were a meatball in a classic pasta sauce preparation.
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