Delicious & Easy Vegan Lentil Balls with Zesty Lemon Rice: Your Ultimate Meal Prep Solution
These Lentil Balls with Zesty Rice are incredibly versatile, simple to prepare, packed with incredible flavor, and perfectly suited for your weekly meal prep! Discover how this plant-based delight can transform your healthy eating habits.
As a food blogger, you might assume our fridge is always stocked with perfectly prepped, delicious meals. The truth is, sometimes even we get caught in the whirlwind of life – or, as was the case recently, a month dedicated entirely to desserts! While my sweet tooth certainly appreciated that, a balanced diet requires more than just sugary treats. This is precisely where the magic of meal planning and diligent meal prep steps in. For us, it’s not just about having ingredients ready, like our beloved baked sweet potatoes; it’s about discovering those truly transformative recipes that yield multiple servings, simplifying our weeknights and ensuring nutritious meals are always within reach. And these Lentil Balls with Zesty Rice? They are an absolute revelation for that very purpose. In fact, they’ve become a non-negotiable staple in our meal prep routine.
Embracing the Power of Meal Prep for a Healthier Lifestyle
Meal preparation is more than just cooking ahead; it’s a strategic approach to eating well, saving time, and reducing stress. When you have wholesome meals ready to go, you’re less likely to reach for unhealthy takeout options or compromise on your dietary goals. For those busy weeks, knowing you have a delicious, plant-based meal waiting means more time for yourself, your family, or simply unwinding after a long day. These lentil balls exemplify this philosophy perfectly. They offer a fulfilling, protein-packed base that can be customized and enjoyed in myriad ways, making them an ideal component of any health-conscious meal plan. Whether you’re aiming to eat more plant-based meals, manage your diet, or simply streamline your kitchen routine, incorporating recipes like this one can be a game-changer.
Introducing Jackie Sobon’s “Vegan Yack Attack On The Go!”
This incredible recipe comes from Jackie Sobon’s latest cookbook, aptly titled: Vegan Yack Attack On The Go! (#VYAonthego) Let me tell you, this cookbook is truly exceptional. It’s brimming with stunning photography, a collection of evergreen recipes suitable for any season, and most importantly, recipes that are both straightforward to follow and utterly delicious. I was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to share one of Jackie’s creations, and this particular recipe felt like the perfect choice to showcase her culinary genius. The core essence of Vegan Yack Attack On The Go! is to equip busy individuals – like myself and many of you – with effortless, plant-based additions that simplify and enrich their lives. This lentil ball recipe perfectly embodies that mission, delivering maximum flavor and convenience without compromising on health or taste. It’s a testament to how exciting and accessible plant-based cooking can be, even with a hectic schedule.
Unleashing the Versatility of These Plant-Based Lentil Balls
Perhaps my absolute favorite aspect of these vegan lentil balls is their incredible versatility. In the cookbook, Jackie thoughtfully presents and serves them in a beautiful Buddha bowl style, much like the vibrant dishes pictured here. This is a fantastic way to enjoy them, offering a complete and balanced meal. However, their adaptability truly shines when you start experimenting. One day, we decided to pair them with the savory, sticky sesame sauce from my popular sticky sesame mushrooms recipe. The result was phenomenal! They absorbed the sauce beautifully, proving they can stand up to a variety of flavor profiles. In fact, they were such a hit that my partner, Gav, managed to finish them all before I could grab a second helping – always a resounding endorsement in our household! This experience confirmed their potential far beyond a single serving suggestion.
Imagine these hearty lentil balls nestled in warm pita bread with a drizzle of tahini, crumbled into a fresh salad for an extra protein boost, or even as a delightful appetizer served with a dipping sauce at your next gathering. Their robust texture holds up wonderfully, whether baked until golden brown or simmered in a rich tomato sauce to complement your favorite pasta dish. They can be transformed into sandwich fillings, crumbled over wraps, or even added to a hearty soup or stew for an extra layer of flavor and nutrition. The possibilities are truly endless, making them a staple ingredient that keeps your meals exciting and fresh without requiring hours of preparation.
Simple Steps to Flavorful Lentil Balls and Zesty Rice
Beyond their versatility, I adore how effortlessly these lentil balls come together. The process is remarkably simple: blend, shape, bake. This streamlined approach means you can integrate them into your meal rotation frequently, even on the busiest of days. Each batch yields four generous servings, making them perfect for family meals or batch cooking for the week ahead. The texture of these lentil balls is satisfyingly firm yet tender, and their earthy flavor provides a wonderful base for countless culinary adventures.
While I don’t typically consume rice often, I was captivated by Jackie’s innovative treatment of the rice in this recipe. It’s not just a side dish; it’s an integral component that elevates the entire meal. The addition of fresh lemon juice and zest infuses the basmati rice with a bright, uplifting flavor that is both light and incredibly refreshing. It cuts through the richness of the lentil balls, creating a harmonious balance on the palate, and honestly, it looks absolutely stunning on the plate too! This zesty rice transforms the entire dish, making it feel gourmet yet entirely approachable. It’s truly just one example of the many inventive, simple, and downright delicious recipes you’ll discover within her cookbook, Vegan Yack Attack On The Go!. If you’re searching for an amazing last-minute gift idea, especially for a plant-based food lover, this cookbook comes highly recommended.
I wholeheartedly encourage all my friends to explore Jackie’s incredible cookbook and, of course, to give this fantastic recipe a try. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a reliable solution for delicious, healthy eating. Enjoy every bite!
Lentil Balls with Zesty Rice (Vegan Meal Prep)
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Ingredients
TO MAKE THE LENTIL BALLS:
- 2 cans, 30 ounces, or 850 g black or brown lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup walnut halves, (100g)
- 3 tablespoons chopped dried mushrooms, (5g)
- 1½ tablespoons tomato paste, (25g)
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, (5g)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup gluten-free bread crumbs, (80g)
FOR THE ZESTY RICE:
- 2 2/3 cups water, (635ml)
- 1 1/3 cups uncooked basmati rice, (255g)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, (30 ml)
- 1½ tablespoons minced fresh parsley, (5g)
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, (4g)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
FOR THE ASSEMBLY:
- 2 cups chopped lettuce, (100g)
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, (130g)
- ¼ cup slivered red onion, (35g)
- 4 lemon wedges
Instructions
TO MAKE THE LENTIL BALLS:
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC, or gas mark 5), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the lentils, walnuts, dried mushrooms, tomato paste, parsley, salt, and pepper into a food processor equipped with an S-blade. Pulse the mixture until it is broken down into smaller pieces, but is not yet a paste. Fold the bread crumbs into the lentil mixture until combined.Form twenty 2-tablespoon-sized (30 g) lentil balls with your hands, and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip them over, baking for an additional 10 minutes. Cool on a rack for 7 to 10 minutes before removing them.
TO MAKE THE ZESTY RICE:
- In a pot, bring the water and rice to a boil over medium heat. Cover with a lid, and adjust the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Stir the lemon juice, parsley, lemon zest, and salt into the rice until evenly combined. Taste and add more salt, if preferred.
TO ASSEMBLE:
- Combine lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions in a bowl, then divide it between 4 plates or containers. Then, divide the rice and lentil balls between each plate. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve.
Notes
Vegan Yack Attack On The Go! © 2018 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.
Text © 2018 Jackie Sobon. First Published in 2018 by Fair Winds Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group,
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265-D, Beverly, MA 01915, USA.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.