Vegan Neatballs, or Meatless Meatballs

i've been workin' on this recipe for sometime now. trying to find one that i'm happy with. i had not defined the taste & texture i was looking for, so i was sort of aiming in the dark. i guess i've been trying to duplicate the texture of meatballs, but change the flavour. i've decided to surf the net, & see what i could find, perhaps amend my recipe & get some other ideas. so far, i've found little different from my own, except what i was expecting to find, dry textured soy protein granules. now where do i find these? i'll hit the grocery store & see. also, there was the idea of using vital wheat gluten flour. i want to make them from scratch, as prepared meatless meatballs are not available world wide. i did come across the recipe, Vegan Visitor. i've also discovered the page, vegetarian meatless meatballs aka neatballs, that includes many ideas to derive your own recipe.

& this is the one i've not yet perfected. i was hoping to before i posted it, but who knows when that'll happen.

٭ Meatless Meatballs ٭

Combine in a bowl,
1 cup tvp ( 1 cup tvp: 7/8 cup veg stock, or water, boil liquid & let sit covered for 10mins)
1 cup cooked brown rice (1 cup rice : bit less than 2 cups water)
1 cup cooked bulgar (1 cup bulgar : 2 1/2 cups liquid, 20mins or so, pending size of the grind, smaller = less time)

Sauté for 5mins,
2 onions, chopped small
3-4 cloves garlic, minced

Add spices to onions until aromatic, 1-2mins. i like...
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
pinch cayenne

Add the onion mixture to the rice mixture with the following,
small handful nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp tamari
1 Tbsp brown or seasoned rice vinegar
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
½ cup toasted flour
1 flax 'egg' (2 Tbsp ground flax whisked with 3 Tbsp water, let sit for a bit)
s & p, to taste

(i found that the 'meat' was a bit wet this time, so i added more flour)
roll into patties, or balls, & fry in a bit of oil, turning 'til browned. makes about 2 dozen.

*Variations i've played with...

1 cup cremini mushrooms
small handful of diced sweet red pepper
1 cup walnuts, or pecans, chopped fine

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also wanted to post a couple of sauce recipes for either the homemade, or store-bought variety. & i found a sauce i must try at the vegan lunch box made from 1/3 cup grape jelly & 1/3 cup chili sauce (stir in a saucepan 'til the jelly melts). in the comments, grape jelly was substituted with cranberry jelly. both very good notions i think.

these recipes are from my childhood...


this is a simple & awesome recipe that can be whipped up in 10-15mins if using the prepared meatless meatballs (1lb), about 6 servings.

٭ Waikiki Sauce ٭

2 Tbsp arrowroot, or cornstarch
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
1 can (13 1/2oz) pineapple pieces*, drained, reserve syrup
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp tamari
⅓ cup green pepper, chopped

combine in a large saucepan, arrowroot & sugar. stir in reserved pineapple syrup, vinegar & tamari 'til smooth. cook over medium heat, stirring constatly, 'til mixture thickens & comes to a boil. let boil for 1 min. add 'meatballs', pineapple pieces & green pepper, heat 'meatballs' thru.

*if you happen to have fresh pineapple on hand, use it. it's much better, but you'll have to substitute a juice for the syrup. i have used pineapple juice, or i really like an orange|peach|mango.

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i don't have any clue as to the origin of the name, but it's simple & delish. it could be jazzed up some if you have the inclination.

٭ Swedish Sauce ٭

1 onion, chopped fine
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ tsp salt
1 Tbsp dry mustard

combine above ingredients in a large saucepan. add 'meatballs' & simmer on low heat for an hour.

enjoy!