I have always loved classic Italian cooking. When I became kosher I missed real Italian spaghetti and meatballs. In order to duplicate that flavor which includes grated parmesan cheese, I created this vegetarian version while living in Slingerlands, New York with my neighbor and friend who is from Italy and is a phenomenal cook. She, like many others, was shocked that it wasn’t real meat when I gave her a taste. This is one of my family’s favorite meals!!
For the sauce:
- 3 -28 cans whole tomatoes or 3 boxes of Pomi diced tomatoes (in a white and red box from Italy)
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1 large handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (more or less to taste)
- juice of one lemon
- few pinches of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
- ¼-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
If using canned whole tomatoes, blend two of them in a blender with the juice, and one without the excess juice, for a few seconds. If using the boxes of Pomi tomatoes, skip this step.
In an 8 quart pot, sauté garlic and crushed red pepper on a medium- high heat for about one minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the other ingredients, bring to a low boil and immediately reduce heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes.
For the meatballs:
- 2 packages of Gimme Lean brand (made by Lightlife) vegetarian meat substitute in beef flavor (not sausage flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup cremini or portabella mushrooms, chopped
- ½ cup Italian flavored bread crumbs, more or less as needed
- water, as needed if mixture is too dry
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl; form into balls using cold water on your hands to make this process easy and less sticky.
Sauté meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat in extra virgin olive until all sides turn golden brown. Add meatballs to sauce and simmer for thirty minutes over low heat. Serve over whole grain or regular pasta. Adjust seasoning before serving and enjoy!
Serves 6-8 with leftovers
*Dairy or Parve without parmesan
- For the sauce:
- 3 -28 cans whole tomatoes or 3 boxes of Pomi diced tomatoes (in a white and red box from Italy)
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1 large handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (more or less to taste)
- juice of one lemon
- few pinches of crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
- ¼-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- For the meatballs:
- 2 packages of Gimme Lean brand (made by Lightlife) vegetarian meat substitute in beef flavor (not sausage flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup cremini or portabella mushrooms, chopped
- ½ cup Italian flavored bread crumbs, more or less as needed
- water, as needed if mixture is too dry
- For the sauce:
- If using canned whole tomatoes, blend two of them in a blender with the juice, and one without the excess juice, for a few seconds. If using the boxes of Pomi tomatoes, skip this step.
- In an 8 quart pot, sauté garlic and crushed red pepper on a medium- high heat for about one minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the other ingredients, bring to a low boil and immediately reduce heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes.
- For the meatballs:
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl; form into balls using cold water on your hands to make this process easy and less sticky.
- Sauté meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat in extra virgin olive until all sides turn golden brown. Add meatballs to sauce and simmer for thirty minutes over low heat. Serve over whole grain or regular pasta. Adjust seasoning before serving and enjoy!
Where do you buy The Gimme Lean vegetarian meat substitute ?