This recipe originally contained 6 eggs and 1/2 c. cheddar cheese. I was sent the recipe by a reader who wondered if I could “veganize” it. I
substituted tofu, tahini, miso and nutritional yeas for the cheese and
eggs, and added a little more seasoning. They were originally
pan-browned and then baked in sauce, but baking these plain first makes them puff up and crisp, and then you add sauce at the last minute, since vegan “balls” tend to fall apart easily when left in a sauce. These make tasty “finger food” or a delicious main dish.
TO MAKE THIS WHEAT-FREE, use non-wheat whole grain yeast breadcrumbs. Omit the gluten flour and use instead 2 T. soy flour plus 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum powder (available in health food stores).
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 of a medium-large onion, minced finely
Couple sprigs parsley, minced finely
1 clove garlic, crushed
2/3 c. crumbled, drained medium-firm tofu (not silken)
1 T. light miso
1 T. tahini
1/4 c. nutritional yeast flakes
1 T. gluten powder (vital wheat gluten or Do-Pep; the kind you use in
your bread machine))
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1 c. (packed down a bit) finely ground fresh whole grain breadcrumbs
(from a bread that’s not “heavy”)
(grind about 4 slices bread in a dry food processor)
1/2 c. minced walnuts (3/4 c. walnut pieces, minced in a dry food processor)
PREPARATION:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a cookie sheet.
Combine the ingredients well, using your hands, if necessary.
Form the mixture into 20 balls and place on the cookie sheet. Spray the balls with oil from a pump sprayer. Bake 15 minutes. Turn the balls over and bake 15 minutes longer.
Serve the balls “as is” as a “finger food”, or top with a light tomato
sauce and dairy-free soy Parmesan, if you wish, and serve as a main
dish. (Add the sauce just before serving, so that the balls don’t fall
apart.)
COOKING NOTE: It’s easy to make this recipe in a food processor. First, mince the nuts, then set them aside. Then grind the breadcrumbs and set them aside. Then add the onion (peeled and chunked) and parlsey (no need to wash the processor bowl) and process them till finely minced. Then add the tofu, garlic, miso, tahini, yeast, gluten powder, salt and pepper and process briefly. Finally, add the breadcrumbs and nuts and process again.
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