Shelly's Recipe

VEGETARIAN MEATBALLS WITH SPINACH-BASIL PESTO

Category: Meatballs

For meatballs
2 cups lentils
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons tomato paste
8 ounces button mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
3 large eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

For pesto
1/4 cup roughly chopped roasted walnuts
4 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

To make meatballs, combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft but not falling apart, about 25 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and saute the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 15 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.

Add the eggs, parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley and walnuts to the cooled vegetables and lentils and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.

Roll the mixture into round golf ball-sized meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, allowing 1/4 inch of space between the balls and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid.

Roast for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through. Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish.

To make pesto, fill a large stockpot 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice and water, and set aside. When water is boiling, add spinach and basil and stir. After 1 minute, strain the greens, and plunge into ice water. Drain again and squeeze them tightly to get as much water out as possible. Chop greens roughly. Combine greens and nuts with salt, olive oil and parmesan in a food processor, and process until a smooth consistency is reached. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired.

Makes about 2 dozen 11/2-inch meatballs and 4 cups pesto.