Vegan Lentil Meatballs With Coconut-Curry Sauce

Voted “Best Vegan Recipe” on Food 52, this Vegan Lentil Meatball Recipe with Indian Coconut Curry Sauce is a delicious healthy meal infused with fragrant Indian spices. Vegan and Gluten Free! This recipe is worth the effort and can only be descried as delicious! 
Ingredients
Vegan Lentil Meatballs:
1 cup black caviar lentils (uncooked) Sub green or brown lentils, just not “split” lentils
1 tsp fennel seed
½ cup quinoa ( uncooked)
———
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp granulated garlic
⅓ Cup chopped cilantro
6 oz firm tofu, pressed down ( to release water) and patted dry – this acts as the binder ( do not use silken tofu)
1 Tablespoon olive oil

Coconut Curry Fenugreek Sauce: ( if you like extra saucy, double the recipe)
4 cloves garlic- minced
1 T fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp fresh turmeric, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric )
1– 2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 extra large tomato, finely diced, with juices
1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves
1 13.5 oz coconut milk (not lite)
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1 tsp brown sugar
½ tsp salt, more to taste
¼ tsp cayenne, more to taste
fresh cracked pepper

Directions
On high heat, bring lentils and fennel seeds to a boil in a small potwith 3 cups water. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer 25 minutes. Drain well.

2. On high heat, bring quinoa to boil in a small pot with 1 cup water. Cover, turn heat to low, simmer 15 minutes, turn heat off, leave covered.

3. Make the sauce. In a skillet or saute pan, over medium heat, saute garlic and ginger in olive oil, until just golden, stirring often to prevent scorching. Add turmeric ( root, or ground) sauté 1 more minute. Add diced tomato, sauté until most of the juices evaporate about 5-8 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, fenugreek leaves, lime, brown sugar, salt, cayenne and pepper. Taste for salt. Bring to a simmer, then turn off heat until ready to serve.


4.Make the vegan lentil meatballs. Pre-heat oven to 400F. In a food processor, place the cooked quinoa, and half of the lentils, and pulse until texture of coarse sand. Place in a large bowl. Add the remaining lentils, salt, granulated garlic, chopped cilantro to the bowl and mix well.

In the same food processor add the tofu (blotted well, borken apart) and 1 T olive oil. (The tofu will bind the mixture and oil will keep them from drying out.) Pulse tofu and oil until a smooth paste, scraping down the sides as necessary. Scoop it into the lentil mixture and mix it in well.

Prepare a parchment lined baking sheet. With your hands, kneed lentil mixture briefly so it’s thoroughly mixed and salt and spices are evenly distributed. With wet hands form small ping pong sized balls. Place on baking sheet and place in the 400 F oven for 20-25 minutes.

Warm the sauce and place lentil meatballs in the sauce, and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve immediately.