Suitable for: a vegetarian diet

I know things with eggs and dairy is a relatively small category around here, but if you can - make these. They are incredible. Perhaps it would be possible to make them with soy cheese and egg replacer though I haven't tried it.

Serves: 4 (tripled a recipe that was too much for one but not enough for two)

90 g (about 1½ dl or 0.63 cup) hazelnuts, ground or finely chopped

75 g (about 1½ dl or 0.63 cup) cheddar cheese, finely grated

1½ dry breadcrumbs

3 eggs

1 onion, finely chopped

1.5 tbsp tomato puree

1 tsp mustard

2 tsp nutmeg

tiny bit or cloves

lots of thyme

white pepper

½ l (2.1 cup) vegetable stock

olive oil

Stir together the nuts, onion, cheese, breadcrumbs and spices to taste. Add in the eggs. Use your hands to form little balls (aprox. 3 cm dia). Heat a little oil in a nonstick pan. Fry the balls on medium heat until all sides are nicely browned. Then, add the stock and let simmer with a lid for 10 minutes. Bring the heat up a little. After ten minutes, remove the lid and continue to bubble until all the liquid has evaporated. 

I've had these with pasta and tomato sauce, and on sandwiches with onion and lettuce but I could imagine them with rice, quinoa, potatoes or a salad would be good too.

Hazlenuts! I love those, but never buy them.

I have made something similiar using ground walnuts, and bulgar wheat for some texture.

You can easily subsitute the egg part by combining 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water and let set till thick. That replaces one egg.

When you say cloves do you mean cloves- or like garlic clove? I'm not used to using cloves in foods like this. I do like cloves though. 

That recipe does sound delicious!

I mean cloves, the same stuff you would put in pastries. Only a tiny pinch though... 

Bulgar wheat sounds nice! Do you use it in place of the breadcrumbs..? Or just add it? I will try using flax the next time I make these - it will be a nice way to get more omega3 and of course to make them vegan. Thanks for the idea!

Mmm, sounds delicious!! I think I will try making a vegan version - I have a shop bought egg replacement which works in most meals. I'll just leave the cloves out - I hate them and they make me gag. But that's just me, I have texture/taste issues with some foods. :P Thanks for sharing!

Sounds delish, I love hazelnuts! Nutmeg and mustard are two of my favorite things so will definitely try these. Thanks for sharing :)

Hello Elsie 182,

Your recipe for veggy meat balls look's yummy.I'll try it out tomorrow without egg, with a korma sauce and brown rice. You are a Rainbow and a very wise young lady. Keep-up the good vegetarian life.

STAY HAPPY

Thank you all!