INGREDIENTS
- ¼cup onion chopped
- ¼cup zucchini chopped
- ¼cup capsicum chopped
- ¾cup chickpea flour
- 1clove garlic
- 1cup cooked brown rice (can use ready-to-eat packet rice)
- ½tsp dried oregano
- ½tsp dried thyme
- ½tsp salt
- ½tsp pepper
- 2tsp olive oil (and 4-5 tbsp olive oil for frying the balls later)
METHOD
- Chuck all the above ingredients it a food processor, and blitz until mixed. It’s fine if the dough is little loose.
- Heat up olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.
- Wet your hands a little (very important to avoid the balls sticking to your hands), take about two tbsp of mixture and gently form it into a ball. Drop the ball into the frying pan and repeat the process until the mixture is finished. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the balls for 2-4 min. Turn them over from time to time to achieve an even golden crust. This should be done on low-medium heat.
- Once cooked keep them side for few minutes to cool before dropping them in the sauce. The cooling process help them firm up a little more.
SAUCE
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/3 cup finely chopped Carrots
- 1/3 cup finely chopped zucchini
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- ¼ cup Vegan Red wine (optional)
- 2 cans chopped Tomatoes
- 1 Tsp dried rosemary (or 2-3 fresh sprigs)
- 1 Tbsp Vegeta / or 3 beef flavored stock cubes*
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 Cup water
METHOD
- Heat up the oil in a large and deep heavy-bottomed pan.
- Add carrots, onions, and zucchini while stirring occasionally on low heat for 3-4 minutes or until soft.
- Stir in the rosemary and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add wine and cook for another 15-20 seconds.
- Mix in the tomatoes, stock powder, and salt and pepper
- Add water, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Once the time is up, taste and adjust salt if needed. If the sauce is too thick add another 1/4 cup of water and simmer for 2-3 min.
- Toss in the ‘neatballs’ and cook on low heat for 5 minutes or until heated through.
TIPS:
- If the ‘Neatball’ mixture is too soft, add 1-2 tbsp of chickpea flour and mix well.
- If it’s too difficult to form balls using hands, scoop the mixture with a wet tablespoon and gently drop it in the pan. They may not be perfectly round but it will get the job done.