Savory Walnut Balls

2 Pieces of WW bread- toasted and crumbled (you can use store bought bread crumbs but using bread is cheaper, healthier, and I already had a few old pieces of bread sitting around, just waiting to be used)

3/4 c. Walnuts- chopped

1/2 c. Quick oats

2 TBS Ground flax seeds (I use my coffee grinder to turn whole flax seeds into flax meal)

1 tsp. McKay’s Chicken Seasoning

1/4 Purple onion- Finely diced (teenie-tiny)

1/2 tsp. Garlic- Finely diced (I used the jarred garlic because I was in a hurry and my roommates were hungry, but you should use fresh garlic if you have it on hand)

5 oz Crumbled firm tofu (1 small brick)

2 TBS. Bragg Liquid Aminos

1 TBS Olive oil

2 TBS Olive oil

*Makes 14  balls

Heat oven to 350 F.

Toss all the ingredients into a large bowl except for the final 2 TBS of olive oil.  Pour the 2 TBS of olive oil into a baking dish. Time to get your hands dirty, so make sure they’re squeaky clean! Use your hands to blend all the ingredients together. Mix until all ingredients feel well incorporated.

Form 3/4 inch balls with your hands. Place them into oiled baking dish. Roll balls around so each one is covered with oil. Bake for 30 min, rotating as needed, so they don’t burn.

Cool for a couple minutes and enjoy!

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I’m working on a project for my Contemporary Issues of Vegetarian Diets course. Whenever presenting information about cooking it’s pretty much mandatory to bring food, at least I think so. I mean, what draws people’s attention more than free, DELICIOUS food? Hummm.. Nothing. So whatever I decide to bring had better be lip-smacking good.

I’ve been brainstorming food items I could make for the class; there are 42 people so I don’t want to go overboard and wind up cooking an entire meal. It must be simple. One or two simple finger foods will do.

My initial thought has been some type of nutball. I found a simple recipe online and modified it a tad. See my revised recipe above! They’re in the oven right now and our whole house smells of their terrific onion and garlic aroma. My roommates and I can’t wait for lunch!

Hopefully this will be the final recipe that I deliver to my classmates on Tuesday.My mouth is watering right now in anticipation of these succulent walnut balls- I’m thinking a pesto sauce on top would be perfect.

*Photos taken by Heather Roberts