Recipe: Vegetarian mushroom balls (a brilliant meat-free alternative to the classic meatball)

According to my husband I have mastered the meatball. I love cooking with meat, but after a year of being vegetarian I miss a good meatball sub or spaghetti and meatballs.

I became vegetarian to encourage myself to eat more vegetables, so opting for the flavourless plant-based alternative was not an option for me. This inspired me to create a mushroom ball that even the carnivores couldn’t resist.

You will need time to prepare, roast and chill the ball mixture for a minimum of two hours, to ensure perfect rolling texture before baking. These taste amazing with a tomato-based sauce in a sub, on top of spaghetti or with a side of salad.

My tip for maximum enjoyment: These mushroom balls are best served with great conversation – invite your friends over and share the love around. This will fuel your excitement for vegetables!

Mushroom balls

Ingredients:

• 7 portobello mushrooms (variety = flavour, try different types of mushrooms)

• 7 shiitake mushrooms

• 1 onion (diced)

• 5 garlic cloves (diced)

• 1 cup quick oats

• 1 cup breadcrumbs (toasted)

• 2 eggs

• 150g parmesan cheese (grated)

• 1 bunch Italian flat parsley (chopped finely)

• fresh oregano (to flavour)

• pinch of thyme

• pinch of cayenne pepper

• Salt and pepper to season

• Olive oil

• 1 knob of butter

Method:

• Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees

• Roast mushrooms, onion, garlic, olive oil, butter, thyme, salt and pepper

• Cut up once slightly cooled, keeping all flavour and oil

• In a large bowl: add roasted mushroom mix, breadcrumbs, oats, fresh herbs, dried herbs, eggs and parmesan

• Mix, cover and chill for minimum of two hours (turn oven off until then)

After two hours…

• Preheat oven again to 180 degrees

• Shape balls to desired size and back until golden

Add to your favourite dishes like subs, pasta, pizza, and salad.

Cooking tip: feel free to experiment with a variety of different herbs. Rosemary goes great with mushrooms also! If you are vegan or gluten free, you could try the following alternatives:

Vegan:

• Egg = replace with 1 tbsp of either chia or flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp water

• Parmesan cheese = replace with cashew butter

• Butter = replace with Nuttelex

Gluten free:

• Breadcrumbs = replace with almond meal or oatmeal or gluten free breadcrumbs

• Quick oats = replace with gluten free instant oats

Enjoy!