Creamy Polenta with Vegetarian Meatballs & Tomato Sauce
These vegetarian meatballs are faux meat free!
These vegetarian meatballs are faux meat free!
Start with your vegetarian meatballs. Heat a medium pan with 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté 1 cup of onions over medium heat. Stir together and cook for 6-7 minutes. Add half the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute. Season the pan with a little salt and pepper to taste and the thyme. Stir the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the onion mixture, chopped parsley, chopped beans, and nuts. Add the egg and flour (or breadcrumbs) and mix together. Form into balls and either bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or sauté in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon butter.
In a sauce pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the rest of the onions over medium heat. Cook for 7-9 minutes. Add in the remaining garlic and parsley and stir together. Cook for another 1-2 minutes before adding the pureed tomatoes. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the pan to a simmer, and then lower the flame. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes.
For the polenta, heat 5 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Add in 1 cup of cream or milk and bring to a gentle simmer- do not boil. Sprinkle the cornmeal over the liquid and stir. Use a whisk to mix the contents. Whisk constantly over low heat until thoroughly combined. Now assemble all the pieces! Ladle the polenta on a serving dish and either place the meat balls on top of the polenta or on the side. Top the meatballs generously with tomato sauce.