Albondigas de Lentejas

Albondigas de Lentejas are delicious vegetarian lentil meatballs, seasoned with traditional Spanish spices and served with a rich tomato sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Green or brown lentils - 150 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, grated
• Red bell pepper - 1/2, finely chopped
• Cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Chopped fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Whole wheat breadcrumbs - 50 grams
• Egg - 1, beaten (or flax egg for vegan option)
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Canned crushed tomatoes - 400 grams
• Vegetable broth - 200 ml
• Bay leaf - 1
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon

Steps

1. Rinse the lentils under cold water and cook them in a pot with 500 ml of water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and red bell pepper, sautéing until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, sautéed vegetables, cumin, smoked paprika, parsley, salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, and beaten egg. Mix until well combined.
4. Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.
5. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the lentil balls and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.
7. Add the lentil balls back into the sauce, cover, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
8. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 50 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 186 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from lentils, promoting muscle health.
• High in fiber, aiding in digestion and helping maintain a healthy weight.

Tags