Lentil Walnut Balls

Happy Tuesday everyone! What a clear and sunny day we had in Southwestern Ontario. It was still cold, but I didn't mind with all the sunshine we got. I took a quick walk at lunch and I could just feel the Vitamin D soaking in my body - I felt like I could have stayed out all afternoon!

...and now onto the important stuff.....food!!!

A few weeks ago I had the most amazing lentil walnut burger ever!! It was so sloppy I had to eat it with a knife and fork, but the flavour of this burger was to die for!

I have been dreaming of falafels and lentil burgers ever since and some of my blogger friends have posted recipes that have made me drool. So today is the day that I'm going to get crazy and attempt to make lentil walnut "balls" - hehe ~ I can be such a kid sometimes.

Lentil Walnut Balls
Makes 8 balls

1 1/4 c lentils, drained and rinsed
1/4 c walnuts
1 scallion, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic
4 crimini mushrooms
1/4 c brown rice flour (or flour of your choice)
1/2 - 3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375.

Process walnuts, scallion, garlic and mushrooms until very fine. Transfer to mixing bowl.

Add lentils to walnut mixture and mash with a fork.

I mashed most of the lentils, but left a few intact for texture. It worked great!

Add flour and spices and mix well.

Form into 1" balls and place onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 8 minutes per side. You want the outside of the balls to be golden and crispy.

Serve and enjoy! I didn't quite nail the lentil burger that I had previously, but these little guys are pretty darn good. I think they would be best served with a tzatziki sauce or your favourite sauce. I'm not eating dairy right now, so I ate them on their own - but next time I might try to find a good dip!!

As a side, I whipped up a batch of my famous sweet potato fries ~ I know, I know according to my cleanse I am supposed to be eating lots of raw, but I ate raw all day so I think it all worked out in the end!!

What a quick and easy dinner for a weeknight after a long day at work!

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday evening ~ I'll catch you again on hump day!

Andrea