Different Ways to "Meatball"

We used to limit these "meatballs" to spaghetti night, more or less.  A whole new world opened up when we realized they could be so much more!  Slather 'em in gravy!  Coat them with Kung Poa!  Eat 'em with fried potatoes for breakfast! 

With a few tweaks on the seasonings and accompaniments, there are endless ways to go.  Below are three that I enjoy.

Asian "Meatballs"

1 C TVP
1/4 C rolled oats
1 t Chinese Five Spice powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t ground ginger
2 T sesame seeds

3/4 C almost-boiling water
2 T sweet chile hot sauce
2 T tamari or soy sauce

1 T peanut butter

1/4 C flour
1 T nutritional yeast

Place the first six ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
In another bowl, combine the chile sauce, soy sauce, and water until blended.
Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir well.
Let rest and hydrate for five minutes.
Add peanut butter and mix until it is incorporated throughout.
Add in the flour and yeast and mix well again.
Shape into 8-12 balls
Fry in a lightly oiled pan until browned or air fry (brushed with a little oil).  

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UnChxn "Meatballs"
1 C TVP
1/4 C rolled oats
2 T UnChxn or poultry seasoning
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t dry mustard

1 C almost-boiling chxn or vegetable broth

1 T peanut butter

1/4 C flour
1 T nutritional yeast

Place the first six ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Pour broth into dry mixture and stir well.
Let rest and hydrate for five minutes.
Add peanut butter and mix until it is incorporated throughout.
Add in the flour and yeast and mix well again.
Shape into 8-12 balls
Fry in a lightly oiled pan until browned or air fry (brushed with a little oil).  

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Sausage "Meatballs"
1 C TVP
1/4 C rolled oats
1 T fennel seed
1 t ground sage
1/2 t garlic powder
1/4 t black pepper
2 T sesame seeds

3/4 C almost-boiling water
2 T ketchup
2 T tamari or soy sauce

1 T peanut butter

1/4 C flour
1 T nutritional yeast

Place the first seven ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
In another bowl, combine the ketchup, soy sauce, and water until blended.
Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir well.
Let rest and hydrate for five minutes.
Add peanut butter and mix until it is incorporated throughout.
Add in the flour and yeast and mix well again.
Shape into 8-12 balls
Fry in a lightly oiled pan until browned or air fry (brushed with a little oil).  

Top Photo: UnChxn "Meatballs" with lemon and pea risotto and roast cauliflower.  4/1/2023
Middle Photo:  Asian "Meatballs" in a rich hoisin-based sauce with black pepper vegetable stir fry. 3/30/2023
Bottom Photo: Asian "Meatballs" and lentil "tofu" in apple-soy-ginger sauce with rice and szechuan cauliflower.  7/3/2023

Note:  I just think beanballs sounds dumb.  I can't override my cultural upbringing that somehow makes meatball sound normal and beanball sound silly.  Hence sticking with the erroneous "meatball" terminology.  It is what Matt and I call 'em around the house.  I did the vegan thing we do though and used quotes around the word so...  :)