Pecan Almond Lentil Balls With Mushroom Gravy

lentil mushroom pecan almond balls with mushroom gravy

If you have a vegetarian in your midst, planning holiday dinners can seem tricky, especially when the focal point of the meal is largely meat based; turkey or ham with lots of gravy is the usual tradition. While most of us vegetarians are used to making meals out of side dishes on such occasions, it’s nice to have a protein-rich alternative as well.

Vegan Chocolate Soft Serve

This recipe is very tasty, even for the meat eaters—my husband, for example, loves it and he’s someone who tends to think a meatless meal is an incomplete meal. The gravy is flavourful and the pecan lentil balls are even good as leftovers! Don’t be daunted by the long list of ingredients—the fibre-and-protein-packed lentil balls are not hard to put together and can be made ahead of time so that all you need to do is put them in the oven on the big day.

Ingredients

For the Pecan Almond Lentil Balls

1/2 cup uncooked lentils, any kind

1 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cups chopped mushrooms (I use a combination of white and shitakke, but any kind will work)

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon rosemary

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons ground flax soaked in 3 tablespoons water

1/4 cup flour

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a small saucepan, cover lentils with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes until lentils are soft. Drain, and then mash with a fork.

Meanwhile, on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, toast pecans and almonds in the oven at 325 degrees for ten minutes.

Heat oil in a large sauté pan; add garlic and mushrooms and cook until soft, about ten minutes. Add toasted pecans and almonds, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and balsamic vinegar and stir all together. Remove from heat and add lentils, mixing well.

Pour ground flax and water mixture into the pan, add 1/4 cup of flour. Stir together, and form into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. *Make ahead* Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

For Mushroom Gravy

I cup mushrooms, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

2-3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

1/2 teaspoon dill

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon dehydrated onion or onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cup flour

1 1/3 cup water or vegetable broth

In a medium saucepan, heat oil. Add mushrooms and sauté until soft.