Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Broccoli Parmesan Meat Less Balls








I finally got around to making this recipe and wondering why I didn't make it sooner! Boy, is this good.

This summer Rita and I went " up the Island" as we call it.  We don't have a Trader Joe's in our area and I wanted to pick up a few things including the almonds which I planned to use in this recipe.

As usual the recipe sat in the folder and many heads of broccoli came and went. I did pulse the almonds but ended up putting them in a salad. I had half a bag and they took the road trip to Florida with us. Why leave half of bag of yummy almonds sit all winter?

Gabe was diving the day I made the recipe and Max was zonked out on the couch. I needed to get the almonds into something before I ate all of them. 

The recipe is from Oh My Veggies. Kiersten has a wonderful blog with lots of good recipes.

I really loved these! They are so darn good I could of eaten all of them in one sitting but decided to have them with pasta :-)

For those who do not follow the blog I am not a pasta lover. Gabe loves it so I make it once in awhile as a treat. Cyndy sent me a box of quinoa pasta. Love quinoa and I've been waiting to put those noodles in a pot of boiling water. The combination was sensational!!

Ingredients:

1/2 c. raw almonds
1 large head broccoli, cut into florets - steamed (about 2 cups)
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste ( didn't use)
1 egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray for the muffin tin

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place the almonds in a food processor. Pulse until they're coarsely ground (Kiersten has a great photo on her blog what the almonds are suppose to look like).

Remove the almonds from the food processor. Add to a large bowl.

Add the broccoli florets ( which were steamed) into the food processor and pulse until chopped.  Pulse a few times, you don't want the broccoli to be mush, it has to have some consistency to make the balls.

Place the broccoli from the food processor into the bowl with the almonds and also add the cheese and garlic. Season with salt and pepper if using. Stir in the egg and mix well.

Roll the broccoli into balls, small enough to fit in a mini muffin tin. Don't make them to small, otherwise they will be dry.

If you don't have a mini muffin pan use a regular pan and make the broccoli balls larger.

Spray the muffin pan with cooking spray and add the balls.

Cook for  about 20 minutes. They will look golden brown on the outside.

Run a butter knife along the cup to help remove them. This shouldn't be a problem if you spray the pan well. 

Note: This recipe is so easy I've been telling anyone who like to cooks about it. One of the ladies I walk with in the morning is a vegan and she is going to sub the cheese and egg. A lady I met at the auction said she would add some "zip" to it. It's a recipe that you can "play" with and make it your own and with the holidays coming it would be a good appetizer ( would look pretty next to some cherry tomatoes). The kids would love it as long as they aren't allergic to nuts.


Featured 9/14/2015 on Cooking & Crafting with J&J

Featured 9/16/2015 on Healthy Living Link Party


















67 comments:

  1. We don't have a Trader Joe's close to us either Linda....the closest one is about 40 minutes away and not someplace we frequent often to make it a multi-task trip if you know what I mean?

    I love love LOVE that photo-those would be right up my alley-maybe Bob's too.

    Will have to check and see if Market Basket carries raw almonds and what they're going for in price........

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    1. Thanks to Bob's edit it looks better. That's why he's the pro!

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  2. I haven't tried the box I got for myself yet but did find the spirals & was thinking Mac n cheese. This looks so good, I've changed my mind.

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    1. Thank you SO much for sending it, I loved it.

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    2. You liked it? YES! wait, did Gabe try it?

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  3. WOWW!! If I didn't know this was cooked broccoli, I probably would eat it. I am a very very fussy eater, and don't like cooked veggies except for green beans and corn....I do eat all the raw veggies, so I am getting them. This looks so good, and I am going to pass this recipe on to some I know who will want to try it. Carol,I am sorry you don't have a Trader Joes near you......let me know if you want anything. Cyndy, my daughter is eating all this kind of food now, and she has these noodles. Mac and Cheese with them sounds good. Going to share this and I just know I would love it if I could rid myself of this awful habit. I always made things for the family and had something different for me. I know I am weird.

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  4. These balls look so yummy. I'm pretty sure Ray would stand way back as he'd be suspicious of that green tinge, he doesn't eat anything green because it just might be broccoli! :-) However, there are others of us who would gobble these up in a quick minute. Thanks for sharing this, Linda!

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    1. LOL Angela- DO you think Gabe ate it? NO WAY!!! More for me.:-)

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  5. This sounds yummy. I'm going to do what your friend did and take out the cheese (but I'll leave the egg) and see how it goes.

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    1. I love this recipe and hope you do also.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. I just may try this one. I do like broccoli. Thanks for sharing yet another way of using broccoli.

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  7. I love broccoli and this is a really cool way to eat it. I don't have a trader joe's to close to me either so I have only been inside one twice and I honestly didn't quite get the fuss. The one I was in was so small. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday! Pinning.

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    Replies
    1. This is a cool way to make broccoli. Hope you enjoy it.

      Linda

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  8. These look so yummy! #weekendretreatlinkup

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  9. This sounds interesting, we love broccoli and my husband does not like beef, so this is a good trade. Thanks for sharing on Friday Features Linky Party!!
    Have a great week!!

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    1. Karren- the combination works. The almonds,broccoli cheese,garlic and egg. Hope you enjoy it.

      Linda

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  10. Gabe (my son) loves meatballs and is always open to trying new versions. We've been eating a meatless meal once a week and he's not wild about that. But I think this is the kind of meatless dish he would go for. Thanks for sharing, Linda! Your broccoli meatballs were one of the top-viewed links!

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    1. Really? WOW!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how many people I've told about this recipe. So few ingredients and easy to make. My Gabe (hubby) won't eat broccoli so I got to enjoy them all by myself.

      I won't be at the party tonight. Pumpkin Chili or pork going up on Tuesday so I'll add the link ASAP!

      LOVE sharing with you Michelle and I never miss chance to party with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. What a great way to use our homegrown broccoli! Last year we had a lot so I look forward to trying this recipe next harvest. Thanks for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays Linda :)

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    1. You know JES I was so excited about this recipe. It's delicious and easy to make. I hope you come back and let me know how you liked it.

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  12. Your Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs will be delicious. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did Miz Helen.

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  13. Hello cute lady! This looks so good. Pinned and tweeted. We really appreciate you taking the time to stop by our party. It wouldn’t be a party without you. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

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  14. I love the substitution of meat here!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

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    1. I partied this morning with some delicious pork! Thanks for hosting

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  15. Wow, these do sound and look yummy! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. These look so yummy! And healthy. I'll have to try them soon! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays. I'm pinning this to the Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board. We would love to have you join us again this week!

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    1. I was there Sydney! I added an oldie this week that I think you might like.

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  17. Sounds very good! Thanks so much for linking!

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  18. I love this and am totally bookmarking this. Thanks for linking this to the holiday party

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  19. This looks like another great recipe. Thanks for sharing it at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.

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  20. Those look delicious. I love Parmesan and broccoli together, but the meatball shape makes it so much more fun!

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    Replies
    1. Carlee- I love these! I hope you give them a try.

      Linda

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  21. These look great! Pinned and planning to try tonight!

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    1. Hi Lisa-

      Loved this recipe. I made it again a few night ago.

      I hope you come back and let me know if you liked them.

      Linda

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  22. Thanks for sharing on What's for Dinner Sunday on the Lazy Gastronome - Please come by again and leave me a comment! http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-linky-8/

    Thanks.

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  23. I don't mind the green tent. I don't care what my food looks like. I think that the ingredients sound great! I like making healthy versions of recipes. Especially meatballs!

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    1. Kari- these are so good. Make a wonderful meatless meal-

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Linda

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  24. Wow these sound great! So in love with Broccoli! Thank you so much for linking up to Merry Monday this week! I am sharing your post tomorrow on my Twitter We hope to see you next week for another great party! Have a great week!
    Best,
    Kim

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    1. thanks for the share!

      I'll be there a little later next week- but I will post when I can!

      Hugs,

      Linda

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  25. Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap. I love meatless meatballs made with nuts. I'll have to try this recipe.

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  26. Hi Linda,
    Wow this sounds really good and thanks for sharing this recipe at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Julie xo

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    1. Hey Julie-

      I LOVE these! Hope you do also.

      Hugs,
      Linda

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  27. This looks delicious! I hope I get a food processor for my birthday so I can make it!

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  28. Oh my...these sound so delicious! I've pinned them!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J! Please don't forget to enter the $25 Starbucks Giftcard Giveaway that ends tomorrow night!

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  29. This looks so amazing! I'm drooling right now! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for stopping by and partying with us! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we can pin and tweet your masterpieces! Lou Lou Girls

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  30. I have never seen a recipe that looks so good for meatless meatballs! Love all the wholesome ingredients. Sharing. Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Hop.

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  31. Hi Linda,
    We are just letting you know that this awesome recipe was featured at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    We hope to see you again.
    Julie xo

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  32. Oh I love broccoli! These would be great with a little bit of cheddar cheese sauce drizzled over top! My mouth is watering! Thank you for linking up with us at the Tips and Tricks Link Party! I hope to see you back this week!

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  33. What a fun idea for "meatballs." They look absolutely delicious!

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