Is it possible to make meatballs without meat? Yes, if you replace it eggplant. After baking in the oven, the eggplant acquires meat a flavor that makes it a great base for meatballs. Traditional basil, garlic and bread crumbs complement it. The mashed boiled beans gives this dish a dense texture and an additional source of protein. The result is delicious and juicy dish, which, moreover, is quite simple готовится. 
Time: 1 hour. 45 min Difficulty: easy Portions: 4 The recipes use dimensional capacity: 1 cup (tbsp.) – 240 ml. 3/4 cup (st.) – 180 ml 1/2 cup (tbsp.) – 120 ml. 1/3 cup (st.) – 80 ml. 1/4 cups (st.) – 60 ml. 1 tablespoon (tbsp.) – 15 ml. 1 teahouse spoon (tsp) – 5 ml.
Ingredients for the recipe:
- 1 small eggplant (about 350 gr.)
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 1/2 tbsp. boiled white beans, knead with a fork
- 1 large clove of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 tbsp. finely chopped basil or parsley leaves
- 1/2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese, plus a little bit to sprinkle
- 1 tbsp. whole grain breadcrumbs
- Olive oil dispenser spray or non-stick spray
- 2 tbsp. marinara sauce
Recipes with similar ingredients: eggplant, white beans, breadcrumbs, marinara sauce, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, eggs, basil
Recipe preparation:
- Heat the oven to 190 ° C. Line the baking tray foil and lay eggplant on top. Poke the eggplant with a fork 4 times, then place it in the oven and bake until it is completely will not fall apart, and the knife will not easily stick into the center, about 40-50 minutes. Cool the eggplant for 20 minutes. Don’t turn off the oven.
- Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and take out with tablespoons all the flesh (discard the peel). Put the baked eggplant in a medium sized bowl and mix it with beans. Add the garlic, basil, parmesan, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and good mix, then mix with breadcrumbs.
- Again, line the baking sheet with the sides with a clean sheet of foil and sprinkle it lightly with a spray. From the eggplant mass, form balls the size of a golf ball (2 tbsp. for one ball; you have should get about 16 pieces). Fold them on prepared baking sheet and spray lightly on top of the spray. Bake eggplant balls until they become golden brown and dense, about 20 minutes.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat in a small sauceboat marinara sauce. Remove the meatballs from the oven, sprinkle with a little amount of parmesan and serve with warm marinara sauce.
