AND the ‘meat’ to my potatoes…these BlackBean, Walnut, & Cremini Baked Balls. If anyone wants to suggest a different name, please go right ahead! These beauts made one delicious centre piece to our feast. The carnivores in the fam felt they were a pretty solid alternative. Yeah, they did – they’re packed full of protein. They also smell pretty awesome while baking, essential for a Thanksgiving chow down. Hours spent eyeing the oven?!…nope, about 15mins prep and 35mins baking – done! Save a turkey & eat some Baked Balls.
These beauts made one delicious centre piece to our feast. The carnivores in the fam felt they were a pretty solid alternative. They're packed with protein - black beans, walnuts, and cremini mushrooms. They also smell pretty awesome while baking, essential for a chow down.
- 2 flax eggs (combine 2tbsp flax meal + 6tbsp water)
- 1 398ml can organic black beans - rinsed & drained
- 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms - cleaned & roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 3 green onions, roughly chopped *white & light green part only
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tbsp walnut oil or grape seed oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or alternative
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Add the flaxseed meal and water to a small bowl. Allow to sit for at least 15mins and then stir well - set aside.Place the mushrooms, walnuts, green onions, and garlic into a food processor. While blending, pour in the oil. Continue blending until crumb-like, or finely ground. Pour the mixture into a large bowl. Set aside.
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Next, place the black beans into the food processor. Pulse until the beans are pea size and smaller. Scoop out the beans and place them into the bowl with the mushroom/walnut mixture.
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Add the sea salt, pepper, flax meal eggs, and breadcrumbs to the bowl with the black beans and mushroom/walnut mixture. Use a fork to mix just until combined.
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Preheat the oven to 375*F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Measure out the bean/walnut/mushroom mixture into 6 100g portions. Use your palms to roll each 100g portion into a firm ball - firm so the ball stays together, but not SO firm that they're being squished together.
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Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced apart.
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Place in the oven and bake for 30-35mins, or until crispy on the outside & firm to touch - springs back when poked.
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Remove from oven and serve while hot. Store any leftovers in the fridge. Reheat in the oven to get crispy again. Good for 3-5days.