Thursday, August 14, 2008

TVP sausage style meatballs.

1 cup granulated TVP (not chunks)
7/8 cup boiling water or stock
1/3 cup diced onion
1 celery stalk, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fennel seed
shake of red pepper flakes
dash of toasted sesame oil
dash tamari or soy sauce
dash of gravy browner
1/3 cup unbleached white flour (can use whole wheat pastry or chickpea)
1/3 cup fresh herbs--parsley, oregano, thyme and basil work nicely.

Boil the water or stock and pour over the TVP. Stir to mix and allow to sit while you proceed with the next step. Over medium high heat, saute the onion and celery in the olive oil, add salt.When the onion is soft and some of the liquid has cooked off, add the fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Remove 1/4 cup of this mixture and set aside. Reduce to medium heat and add the softened TVP. Stir to combine flavors and to brown the TVP a bit.Stir in sesame oil, soy sauce and gravy browner. Place this mixture in a food processor with the flour and pulse a few times until almost smooth, but still with a bit of texture. Scrape down sides and move to a bowl. Stir in the reserved sauteed vegetables and fresh herbs. Season to taste with salt, if needed. Place a bit of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 350F.With wet hands, form small balls and place evenly on cookie sheet. Bake until brown on the bottom, flip and bake another ten minutes. The texture of these are nice, crusty on the outside and moist on the inside.

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