Thursday, August 11, 2011

Great Italian Lentil Balls!


Our oldest daughter Lea made these last night for sup and they were marvelous dahlings! Mahvelous! (Don't you just love the way the glamorous young woman engaged to the Jewish runner in the movie, 'Chariots of Fire' says the word, Marvelous - Mahvelous...

Our family is moving Vegetarian these days, if you see this video on my other blog you will see one of the number one reasons for me, it's a mercy issue and a humanitarian one, a justice issue about factory farming. My husband enjoys the health benefits too. I can't see Jesus approving of this abuse. No way, no how. Even on dairy, we are being far more particular, buying cheese only from farm owned happy cows (Bordens brand has a shredded cheese with the 'Family Owned' cow emblem on the front, yay!) and happy roaming chicken eggs. It pays to shop on these things. And there are so many vegan choices too on many cheeses etc.

Okay here is this most wonderful recipe, I hope you all enjoy it too. It was so good and tasty too.

The above photo is of Lea the other evening by the pond reading...Our pond is getting lower and lower and this drought is getting down right scary. Please pray for Texas!

Please pray for Texas and special thanks to Governor Perry for calling 'The Response' for prayers and repentance for our country, praying to stop abortion as well as for the silent pulpits. We were there and it was not fun and games, this was a serious prayerful and worshipful event. Many wonderful people of God were there praying and no man was lifted up, this was not an emergent church event. People like Aveda King, Dr. Dobson and his wife Shirley Dobson, Tony Evans, David Barton, the widow of Bill Bright, Vonette Bright were there along with John Hagee etc. Also, a beautiful young woman who survived her mother's abortion and a Holocaust survivor's son were there to pray. The list of prayer warriors goes on and on. We had several pastors in our immediate seating vicinity. People of all colors were there. My husband was praying over one precious black pastor and tears rolled down his face...The pastors who are preaching truth must be receiving tremendous persecution. I have sensed that lately. Who wouldn't? Our family has not had an easy time of it lately ourselves...

That's the wrap and now for that recipe! : )


Lea's Italian Lentil Balls, the Best in the West!

4 cups cooked lentils
2 cups bread crumbs
3 - 4 happy free roaming chicken eggs
3 -4 garlic cloves crushed
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
dried parsley
dried Italian seasoning
fennel seeds if desired
olive oil

Mix lentils, bread crumbs, eggs, garlic and cheese well until most lentils are smashed and ingredients are blended. Generously add seasonings to taste.

Roll into meatballs. Place in pan with thin layer of olive oil. Leave in 400 degree oven or broil til crisp and browned.

Lea served these delicious lentil balls with a light Italian gravy over cous cous. I'll share her light gravy with you as well:

Lea's Light Gravy for Pasta or Cous Cous

8 Roma tomatoes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 box vegetable broth
1 - 2 tsp. vinegar
crushed dried red pepper and salt to taste
handful of fresh basil

Saute' tomatoes in hot oil over medium high heat 2 minutes or until soft. Add broth and vinegar. cook 2 to 3 minutes or until tomateoes begin to wit. Stir in dried crushed red pepper,salt, and remaining basil.


Now gals, we can't put these Lentil Balls in the gravy because they will deteriate so make sure and serve them up separately.

Let me tell you, I had some today for lunch and they were just as good and crispy as they were last night.


I hope you enjoy this tasty and healthful recipe. I'm going to bring a dish right on over to Mz. Helen's Blueplate Thursday to share today.

This is also linked to Frugal Friday at Life with Mom. 9.16.11Link


I'll close with a selected poem from my devotions from yesterday from Streams in the Desert:

Loved! then the way will not be drear;
For One we know is ever near,
Proving it to our hearts so clear
That we are loved.

Loved when our sky is clouded o'er,
And days of sorrow press us sore;
Still we will trust Him evermore,
For we are loved.

Time, that affects all things below,
Can never change the love He'll show;
The heart of Christ with love will flow,
And we are loved.


You are loved! And remember, the same moon that shines over me shines over you too! So when you think about it and see that ol' moon, say a prayer for this gal here in Texas and I'll say one for you too. God knows who you are.... You are loved!

~Amelia

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Amelia,
It was so good to hear from you again the other day. Thanks so much for stopping in and saying hello!
The recipes you posted look mahvelous, dahling.....I can't wait to try them. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. We have migrated to mostly vegetarian for the same reasons & for the health benefits. We only buy meat that has been treated well & is healthy so it does limit the amount we consume. Love the Streams in the Desert poem you shared. Thank you for sharing your life with us! (((hugs))))

Beloved's Redheaded Bride said...

We buy our meat from the Amish and Farming community too. I am not sure what I will do when we move to a different state. I hope I will be able to find a local farmer.

I had wondered if y'all were going to attend that event! I loved the call to fasting video that Bartow put out. It was excellent!

Hugs!

Miz Helen said...

Hi Amelia,
I really enjoyed your post. I feel like more and more folks are moving what I like to call "Back to The Basics". Good home grown free range healthy food. I am happy to know that you were praying our our great Gov. Perry! The lentil balls look delicious I know we would enjoy them. Hope you are having a great week end and thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
See you soon!
Miz Helen

Little Mama Mia said...

I'm delighted that y'all liked the lentil balls!! And flattered that you'd post the recipe. :D

One modification would be to add more than a thin layer of olive oil to the pan before baking/broiling the lentil balls. I should've written it out that way. Basically, the more olive oil, the better these balls would be, within reason,of course. But it depends on how many calories you're okay with consuming that day. ;) I used a *somewhat* generous layer.

Yes, we need rain.. praying!

And yes, SO thankful for a governor who put on something like "The Response"... excellent. Hoping he'll do well in the presidential running.

Love you!