Walnut & Lentil Meatless Balls
Photo: highlimitzz · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
These meatless balls hold together beautifully and have a satisfying, savoury bite thanks to walnuts and a little oats for structure. Baked until golden then simmered in a simple tomato sauce, they are the sort of dinner that wins over the whole table. Pile them onto pasta, into a sub, or serve with mash.
Ingredients
Tick the store-cupboard items you would like, then add them to your basket in one tap.
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Choose a product for green lentils - we add the cheapest by default.
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Choose a product for walnut halves - we add the cheapest by default.
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Choose a product for jumbo oats - we add the cheapest by default.
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Choose a product for garam masala or mixed spice - we add the cheapest by default.
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Choose a product for chopped tomatoes - we add the cheapest by default.
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Local shop1 onion, grated
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Local shop2 cloves garlic
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Local shop1 egg (or 2 tbsp ground flax + water)
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Local shop1 tsp dried oregano
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Local shopto taste salt and black pepper
Ticked items go to your Lean & Healthy basket. Fresh items like onions and herbs are best picked up from your local shop.
Method
Serves 4 · about 55 minutes from start to finish.
Simmer the lentils until very soft, about 25 minutes, then drain well and let them cool a little.
Blitz the walnuts and oats in a processor to a coarse crumb, then add half the lentils, the onion, garlic, spice, egg and seasoning and pulse to a rough, shapeable mixture. Stir in the remaining whole lentils for texture.
Heat the oven to 200C / 180C fan. Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls and place on an oiled tray.
Bake for 20 minutes, turning once, until golden and firm.
Meanwhile, simmer the chopped tomatoes with the oregano and a little olive oil for 10 minutes and season.
Add the baked balls to the sauce, warm through gently, and serve.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving
Cook's tip
Chill the mixture for 20 minutes before rolling - it firms up and makes far tidier, easier-to-shape balls.
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Nutrition figures are estimates per serving and will vary with brands and portion sizes. Ingredient prices and availability are indicative and confirmed at the secure Shopify checkout.