Vegan Broccoli Balls: A Fusion Delight

Introduction: Elevate your appetizer game with our Gourmet Vegan Broccoli Balls – a tantalizing fusion of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds yearning for more. This innovative recipe, born from the creative kitchen of Vegan Richa, seamlessly blends the goodness of broccoli, aromatic spices, and wholesome ingredients to craft delectable, plant-powered delights. Perfect as an appetizer or nestled in a sub, these vegan broccoli balls offer a symphony of flavors that transcends traditional expectations. Join us on a culinary journey as we delve into the intricacies of this gourmet creation.

Ingredients: Delight in the artful composition of our gourmet broccoli balls with carefully selected ingredients:

  • 1.33 tsp oil
  • 0.67 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1.33 large head of broccoli, florets and tender stem
  • 2.67 tbsp fresh basil leaves or 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.67 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.67 tsp garlic
  • 0.67 tsp chipotle pepper
  • 0.33 tsp ground black pepper
  • 0.33 tsp salt
  • 1.33 tbsp or more nutritional yeast
  • 0.33 cup almond meal
  • 0.33 cup or more bread crumbs
  • 1.33 chia seed egg (1 tbsp chia seeds or chia seed meal mixed with 3 tbsp warm water, let sit for 2 minutes to gel)

Variations:

  • 0.33 cup vegan cheese shreds (pepper jack, daiya cheddar, or pepperjack)

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Sautéing Elegance: Begin the culinary journey by heating oil in a pan over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
  2. Broccoli Basil Brilliance: In a food processor, pulse broccoli and basil until grated, approximately 2.5 to 3 cups. Add this vibrant mixture to the pan, season with a dash of salt, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing excess moisture to evaporate. This step ensures a perfect texture for our gourmet broccoli balls.
  3. Aromatic Symphony: Infuse the broccoli mixture with a harmonious blend of dried oregano, garlic, chipotle pepper, ground black pepper, and salt. Add nutritional yeast, almond meal, and breadcrumbs to create a flavorful base. The kitchen transforms into a culinary stage as each ingredient contributes to the symphony of flavors.
  4. Binding Magic: Prepare the chia seed egg by mixing chia seeds or chia seed meal with warm water, allowing it to gel for 2 minutes. Incorporate this binding magic into the broccoli mixture. For an added layer of decadence, include vegan cheese shreds of your choice.
  5. Shape and Bake: Carefully shape the mixture into 1 – 1.5 inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200ºC. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning the sheet around after 15 minutes to ensure a crisp, golden exterior.
  6. Gourmet Presentation: Elevate the visual appeal by sprinkling vegan cheese shreds on the balls in the last 5 minutes of baking. Serve these gourmet broccoli balls warm with marinara, over spaghetti, or nestled in a sub sandwich for a truly indulgent experience.

Chef’s Notes and Culinary Considerations:

  1. Nutty Variations: For a delightful twist, consider using alternative nuts such as walnuts or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower (for a nut-free version). Process them into a meal to seamlessly replace almonds or incorporate additional breadcrumbs.
  2. Hearty Bean Infusion: To enhance the heartiness of your veggie balls, introduce 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked mashed chickpeas or other beans into the mixture. This addition transforms the balls into a robust culinary experience.
  3. Nutritional Values: Each broccoli ball, a nutritional powerhouse, provides 60 calories, 7g of carbohydrates, 2g of protein, and a generous dose of vitamins and minerals. Embrace the goodness of plant-based nutrition with every bite.

Conclusion: Our Gourmet Vegan Broccoli Balls redefine the boundaries of plant-based cuisine, offering a sensory experience that marries innovation with flavor. As you embark on this culinary adventure, savor the fusion of broccoli, aromatic spices, and wholesome ingredients meticulously crafted into each bite. Whether shared as an appetizer or featured in a sub, these gourmet delights are a testament to the endless possibilities of vegan cooking. Enjoy the symphony of flavors and textures in every indulgent, plant-powered bite.

Vegan Broccoli Balls

Vegan Broccoli Balls. Broccoli Cheese Balls, veggie / meat balls. Serve with marinara, or over spaghetti or in a sub. Easy Vegan Recipe. Can be gluten-free. Makes 10 to 12, 1 – 1.5 inch balls

Prep Time15minutes mins

Cook Time25minutes mins

Total Time40minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: fusion

Servings: 16

Calories: 60kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

  • 1.33 tsp oil
  • 0.67 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1.33 large head of broccoli , florets and tender stem (peel off the knobs from the stem and use)
  • 2.67 tbsp fresh basil leaves or 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.67 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.67 tsp garlic
  • 0.67 tsp chipotle pepper
  • 0.33 tsp ground black pepper
  • 0.33 tsp 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1.33 tbsp or more nutritional yeast
  • 0.33 cup almond meal
  • 0.33 cup or more bread crumbs
  • 1.33 chia seed egg 1 tbsp chia seeds or chia seed meal mixed with 3 tbsp warm water, let sit for 2 minutes to gel

Variations

  • 0.33 cup my almond milk pepper jack or other vegan cheese shreds like daiya cheddar or pepperjack optional

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Pulse the broccoli and basil in a food processor until grated. Add to the pan. (2.5 to 3 cups grated). Add a dash of salt, mix and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to dry out the excess moisture. (If the broccoli is dry, cook for only a minute). Take off heat.
  • Add in the spices, almond meal, breadcrumbs. Mix well. Make the chia seed egg or use 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax seed meal + 2.5 Tbsp warm water) or egg replacer for 1 egg.
  • Mix in. Add vegan cheese shreds if using. Add more breadcrumbs if needed.
  • Shape the mixture into balls. If the balls are too crumbly (depends on the moisture content, size of grated broccoli etc), add another chia egg, or sprinkle some non dairy milk or aquafaba and mix well.
  • Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200ºc.
  • Bake for a total of 20 to 25 minutes or until crisp and golden on the outside. (Turn the sheet around after 15 minutes, and continue to bake.). you can also sprinkle some cheese shreds on the balls in the last 5 minutes. Serve warm with marinara or over spaghetti or as veggie balls in a sub sandwich.

Notes

Use other nuts as walnuts or pumpkin/sunflower seeds(nut-free) instead of almonds. Process into meal and use. Or use more breadcrumbs.

For variation: add a 1/2 to 1 cup cooked mashed chickpeas or other beans for a hearty veggie ball.

Nutritional values based on one broccoli ball

Nutrition

Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 45.8mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.7mg