stick to your greens!

I’ve been MIA nursing my poor sweet cat back to health. Apparently the kitten bit her mouth and cut her tongue. Poor thing. Of course it took a panicked vet visit (yes, I am a the crazy cat lady), my husband’s logic, and seeing the cut on her tongue before I realized that the world is not ending! I can cook once again!

Garbanzo Bean “Meatballs”

1 can (15oz) Garbanzo Beans

2 tbs unsweetened applesauce

1/2 tsp each: curry powder, cayenne pepper, cilantro (less if you don’t like spice, more if you love it!)

Sauce

1 medium tomato

2 squirts lemon juice (about 2 tsp)

3 mint leaves

3 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp each:  curry powder, cilantro, cayenne pepper, sweet paprika (same rules as above!)

1/4 cup soy milk

1 tsp flour (eliminate for a gluten free meal!)

Start by blending the sauce ingredients together (except for the flour and soy milk) in a food processor. Set the sauce aside. Boil the Garbanzo Beans for about 3 minutes, just to soften them up! Then add spices and applesauce and mash it up!

It makes me sad that I am using dried cilantro (shudder)

Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to a large frying pan and set the element to medium heat. Gently form the bean mash into small balls (make sure it has cooled a bit so you don’t burn yourself!) Place them gently into the oiled frying pan. Cook them until they turn golden brown on the outside. To turn them, slide them to the side of the frying pan and “roll” them over. They are a bit delicate until you’ve cooked them.

Don’t fret if they lose their shape a bit (see above!). Just gently pat them into a ball shape before adding them to the sauce. Again, be careful not to burn yourself.

Add the sauce to a medium or small saucepan and set the element to medium-high heat. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil and add the milk and flour (optional!) The flour just makes the sauce a bit thicker, so you can skip it if you like. Once it thickens (or boils if you are not using flour), place the “meatballs” into the sauce and gently jiggle the saucepan until the sauce covers them. Cook for about 1 minute. If you cook them too long they will turn into mush (it’s still good). Serve with rice!

When you first place the meatballs in your mouth, it seems hearty and thick. But once you chew, it tastes light and fresh (lemon & mint) with a punch of heat (cayenne, curry powder).

A hearty meal with a summery zing!

enjoy x

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