Channeling Gwyneth today. After reading her GOOP website, I decided to cook up some lentil meatballs that she featured. AND HOLY SHMOLY, they are beyond delicious. BEYOND. So flipping delicious and tasty, that I could (and did), eat them several days in a row.
Ingredients:
* 2 cups green lentils
* 1 small chopped onion
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup of panko or breadcrumbs (sorry gluten-free people, it’s a must)
* 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
* 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
* 3 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1 pinch of dried thyme and dried rosemary
* salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
* Cook the lentils (1 cup of dried lentils to 3 cups of water). Boil the water, put in the lentils, let them cook, lower the temperature, and let them sit for 30 minutes.
![Lentils.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-7.59.59-AM.png)
Lentils.
* Meanwhile, sautee the onion in a pan with olive oil until translucent. Add the dried herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper, sautéeing for about another minute or two until soft and fragrant. Turn off heat and set aside to cool.
![Chopped onions.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-7.59.28-AM.png)
Chopped onions.
![Sauteed onions.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-7.59.35-AM.png)
Sauteed onions with herbs. SMELLS SO DELICIOUS.
* Once the lentils are cooked, place them in the vitamix with tomato paste and a tad of olive oil, and pulse until smooth.
![Blend. What would I do without this appliance?](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.00.06-AM.png)
Blend. What would I do without this appliance?
* Then, beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add ricotta and mix with beaten eggs until combined.
![Eggs.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-7.59.42-AM.png)
Eggs.
![Eggs with cheese.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-7.59.48-AM.png)
Eggs with cheese.
* Add lentils and mix together until smooth.
![Kind of looks like meat. BUT NOPE, not meat!!!](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.00.12-AM.png)
Kind of looks like meat. BUT NOPE, not meat!!!
* Add onion/garlic/herb mixture from the frying pan, parmesan and panko breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper.
![Everything tastes better with cheese on it!](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.00.29-AM.png)
Everything tastes better with cheese on it!
![Breadcrumbs!](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.00.37-AM.png)
Breadcrumbs!
* Mush together (hands are best for this) until combined.
* Roll lentil mixture into small balls and place on an oiled baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Turn balls, and bake for another 5 minutes, until slightly browned.
![Perfect little "meat'balls](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.00.46-AM.png)
Perfect little “meat’balls
![Finished product! Heaven. In a meat-less meatball.](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.01.01-AM.png)
Finished product! Heaven. In a meat-less meatball.
* Serve with a green salad, pita bread, green hummus! Delicious! And they are even good cold.
![And store in fridge for leftovers!](https://josiegirlblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Screen-Shot-2013-03-12-at-8.01.09-AM.png)
And store in fridge for leftovers!
So tasty to eat as a snack (cold) or for dinner (warm). As Ken (admittedly brimming with sarcasm) told me when he tried them, “they are the best non-meat, meatballs I have ever eaten.” So make ’em and LOVE ’em.
Love goop. Not so sure about lentil meatballs though!
I SWEAR THEY ARE AMAZING.
I make a version of these, but with tomato sauce and whole wheat pasta. one of my favorites!
Sounds good!