Eat Your Veggies Mediterranean Meatballs Food

MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• For the sauce: Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and sweat down until onion starts to give up some liquid, about 5 minutes. Deglaze pan with red wine, then reduce by half. Add tomatoes, parsley, mint, oregano, chile flakes and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Let simmer about 20 minutes.
• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Combine the almonds, parsley, raisins, mint, garlic powder, salt, pepper and chile flakes in a food processor. Pulse until fine. Transfer to a large bowl and add the oil and egg and mix well. Add beef and rice and blend. Portion into golf ball-sized meatballs and put on a sheet pan. Roast until done, 12 to 15 minutes. Pour sauce over meatballs and serve.

VEGAN EGGPLANT MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Place the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Transfer to a rimmed sheet pan and spread in an even layer. Bake until the breadcrumbs are lightly golden (10 minutes or so), stirring midway through. Transfer them to a large plate and set aside.
• Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Line the sheet pan with aluminum foil and set the eggplant on top. Prick it 3 to 4 times with a fork and roast until a pairing knife easily slips into the center (40 to 50 minutes). It should be very tender throughout. Remove the eggplant from the oven and use scissors to cut an X in the bottom. Transfer it, stem side up, to a colander and set in the sink and let it drain and cool for 20 minutes.
• Set the eggplant on a cutting board and slice it open lengthwise and scoop out the flesh and place it in the bowl of a food processor Add the pureed carrot (or egg), lentils, garlic, basil, parsley, and nutritional yeast (or chickpea flour) and ¾ teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Process for 12 one-second pulses to combine. Add the bread crumbs and pulse 2 to 3 times to combine.
• Scrape the mixture in a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap flush against the surface, and refrigerate for 20 minutes or overnight.
• Shape the eggplant mixture into golf ball-size pieces and roll them until they are nice and round.
• Heat the grapeseed oil and remaining ½ cup of olive oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
• Drop one of the balls into the oil, it should immediately sizzle-if not, let the oil heat some more. Add a few more balls to the oil, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the "meatballs" in batches, browning them on all sides (3 to 5 minutes for each batch).
• Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve immediately.

SHEET PAN BAKED MEATBALLS AND VEGETABLES (ITALIAN-STYLE)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and position a rack in the center.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetables, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle 2 extra virgin olive oil and toss to combine. Transfer the vegetables to a large lightly oiled sheet pan and spread them out.
• In the same large bowl, combine the meat, onions, garlic, parsley, oregano, mint, Parmesan, bread crumbs and egg. Season with a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Drizzle with a little olive oil (about 1 tbsp). Mix until everything is well-combined. Form the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and lightly press the center of the meatballs with your thumb (do not completely flatten).
• Arrange the meatballs (or patties) in the same sheet pan with the vegetables. Pour the canned tomatoes all over. Season with kosher salt and drizzle the top of the tomatoes generously with extra virgin olive oil.
• Cover the sheet pan with foil and bake in the heated oven for about 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.

EAT-YOUR-VEGGIES MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray.
• Put the spinach in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave according to the package instructions until cooked. Let cool slightly.
• Add the turkey, breadcrumbs, cumin, garlic, carrot, egg, 1 tablespoon of the dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined. Scoop mounds of the meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. With damp hands, roll the mounds into balls and space them evenly apart on the baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt, lemon juice and remaining dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve 3 meatballs in each pita half. Pack in shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Drizzle with the yogurt sauce.

EAT-YOUR-VEGGIES PORK SCALLION MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and coat with cooking spray.
• Add the coleslaw to a large microwave-safe bowl. Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover and cook on high until tender and translucent, about 7 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Add the pork, ginger, vinegar, soy, garlic, egg, all but 1 tablespoon of the scallions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the coleslaw mix. Mix with your hands until just combined. Scoop mounds of the meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. With damp hands, roll the mounds into balls and space them evenly apart on the baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Put 3 meatballs on each lettuce leaf, sprinkle with the reserved scallions and drizzle with garlic chili sauce. To eat, fold each leaf like a taco and dip into the ponzu sauce.

EAT-YOUR-VEGGIES ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and coat with cooking spray.
• Cook the frozen collards in a large bowl in the microwave according to package instructions. Let cool slightly.
• Add the beef, black beans, Italian seasoning, garlic, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the collard greens. Mix with your hands until just combined. Mix with your hands until just combined. Scoop mounds of the meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. With damp hands, roll the mounds into balls and space them evenly apart on the baking sheet. Bake until completely cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Serve the meatballs with warm pasta and sauce.

MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
• Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, rosemary, parsley, oregano, dill, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix using your hands until just blended.
• Form meat mixture into balls, about 1 1/2 inches diameter, and place onto the prepared pan.
• Spray meatballs with cooking spray, place in the preheated oven, and bake until the meatballs are browned and no longer pink in the center, about 40 minutes.
• Remove meatballs from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a paper towel lined plate. Garnish with additional fresh parsley for serving.