Cows cry tears of joy for Lentil Meatballs

I love meatballs. On a bad day when I just want comfort food, I immediately think of meatballs. Since I stopped eating meat, I was depressed with the choices for vegan/vegetarians. Either a chemically fake meat substitute or a strange mixture of veggies in a ball shape. I started making these lentil meatballs and immediately felt a sense of happiness knowing I could eat meatballs again with a big bowl of spaghetti or mashed potatoes.

Lentil mixture

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon of tyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of parsley
• salt
• pepper
• 1/2 cup of uncooked lentils
• 2 cups of veggies broth

walnut mixture

• 1 cup of chopped walnuts
• 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons of flax seed meal)
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons of soy sauce/ garlic aminos, teriyaki aminos (whatever your heart desires)

1. start by cutting up the yellow onion- somewhat finely chopped ( we are home cooks, no need to excruciatingly chop the onion perfectly
2. put a splash of veggie broth at the bottom of a pan big enough to be able to hold 2 cups of liquid and lentils
3. add onion to pan, and cook for about 8 minutes until translucent and starting to brown
4. add 4 cloves of garlic and cook for about 2 minutes- DO NOT BURN YOUR GARLIC
5. add the spices, including salt and pepper and mix into onions and garlic
6. add the lentils and cook for a minute
7. then add the 2 cups of veggie broth, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until all liquids are absorbs

when the lentil are simmering make the walnut mix

1. make the flax eggs by adding two tablespoons to 6 tablespoons of water, mix and let sit for 5 or more minutes
2. add the walnuts to a food processor
3. add nutritional yeast, soy sauce, flour
4. once flax eggs is ready add to food processor
5. mix all together until well combined

Once lentils are cooked, add to food processor with the walnut mix and blend until mixed together.

Put in fridge for about 30 minutes to chill. This will save your fingers from burning and help the meatballs hold their shape. Also preheat your oven to 400 degrees at this point

Take your meatball mix out, form into balls. Place on a greased pan and cook for 30 minutes flipping half way through.