Vegetable “meatballs” in tomato sauce

Did you know that pulses, especially with beans, are a great alternative to meat? The vegetables can be used to make cutlets, “meatballs” or even a traditional piccolo. This time, however, you’re looking at a recipe for meat-free “meatballs”, starring black beans. A tasty dish that will please young and old alike. Try it and see for yourself!

Quantity: 3-4 diners
Preparation time: 45 minutes
45 min: Light
To prepare you will need:

For “meatballs”:

• 425 g black beans (canned or cooked)
• ¾ cup gluten-free oatmeal (85 g)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cloves of garlic
• ½ tbsp onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika powder
• ½ teaspoon chilli powder (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon of ground smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground spices
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• sea salt (to taste, optional)
• food processor

For the sauce:

• 1 medium onion
• 5 cups of crushed tomatoes (3x 400 gram jars)
• ½ cup tomato paste (2-3 tbsp)
• 4 crushed garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
• sea salt (optional, to taste)

To serve:

• gluten-free spaghetti
• fresh basil

How to make herbal “meatballs”?

Start by making meatballs. To do this, preheat the oven to 200 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper. Then place all the ingredients for the meatballs in a food processor and blitz until a sticky paste forms. Shape the dough into balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes until the balls are crispy.

While the balls are cooking, prepare the tomato sauce. To do this, place the chopped onion in a pan with a couple of spoonfuls of water and simmer until soft. Add the crushed garlic to the onion and simmer for a few more minutes. Then add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs, coconut sugar and chilli (if using) to the pan with the onion and garlic. Cook uncovered in a frying pan for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the flavours have blended. When the sauce is ready, carefully stir in the “meatballs”.

Serve with cooked spaghetti or anything else you like. Serve with fresh basil and enjoy!

*Idea from the Medical Media Recipes section.