Bored of the regular old meatballs served with spaghetti or sandwich sub? But here’s the bright side, you can twist this recipe by merely replacing the star ingredient that is the ‘meat’ with vegetables. This is not just a healthy option but an exciting one as there are many new ingredients you can include. These will make your meals light as well refreshing. That’s the best part of about food, you can tweak from the conventional methods and make it more interesting as well as appetizing.
There are innumerable ways with which you can get creative with vegetarian meatballs. Here are some vegetables you can use as the main ingredient to cook some amazing vegetarian meatballs or ‘veggie balls.’
Cauliflower
Veggie balls made from cauliflower are immensely flavorful, and you can incorporate other variants in it like bell peppers, mushrooms, or lentils. To make them creamier you can add the classic Italian tomato sauce and give it your own twist by making it spicy or lemony. You can use feta or Parmesan cheese for garnishing.
Quinoa
Quinoa is an amazing inclusion in your diet through veggie balls. It’s is gluten free, high in proteins, fibers and amino acids as well as antioxidants. It is easy and delicious, and you can simply cook it with an incorporation of herbs, cheese, and basic kitchen ingredients or add mushrooms, lentils, or spinach. Quinoa happens to be a versatile ingredient that blends effortlessly with the other food elements.
Lentils
Red or green lentils are another alternative to make meatballs. They’re gluten free, high in iron and proteins. They generally make an amazing combination with a tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. You can season this recipe according to your liking, it could be spicy or tangy. You can serve it in pastas or in a vegetarian meatball sandwich.
Sun- dried tomatoes and basil
This classic combination of tomato and basil will refresh your taste buds, with its crunchiness on the exterior and tender, savory flavor on the inside. It is uncomplicated and fast to cook, and you will just require a handful of basic ingredients like chickpeas, Parmesan, and some fresh herbs. These flavors will go best with a plate of hot spaghetti.
Eggplant
Meatballs made from eggplants are extremely tasty and healthy. Add olive oil, lemon zest and freshly shredded basil and cheese. You can use the veggie balls as simple, fuss free appetizers or serve them with pasta noodles or rice.
We are a coffee-drinking nation and every form of the beverage – decaf, regular, expresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato and ristretto is consumed everyday by millions of us. It’s the first thing we need in the morning and the last (for some) after dessert. Black, with cream, with sugar, no sugar, flavored, each of us has a preference with regard to strength. Nespresso’s taken heed of this and given us a gift in a pod with the Nespresso capsules. Available in the regular Arabica and Robusta capsules, they have some amazing seasonal flavors as well.
Nespresso capsules are hermetically sealed in a capsule that holds 5-7 gms of coffee – enough for one serving of coffee. They offer five ranges in Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40 ml), Lungo (110 ml), Decaffeinated (40 ml and 110 ml) or Flavored (40 ml).
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Ristretto range are:
Ristretto Origin – Made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has toasted flavors with cocoa notes and woody undertones.
Ristretto Origin India – A blend of the finest Arabicas with a smidgen of Robusta from Southern India, this full-bodied coffee has hints of spices.
Ristretto Intenso – A strong blend of South and Central American Robustas and Arabicas, the Ristretto Intenso is a full-bodied coffee with a creamy texture and peppery notes.
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Espresso range are:
Espresso Origin Brazil: A pure Arabica coffee, it has a mild sweet flavor.
Espresso Leggero: A blend of South American Arabicas and Robusta, it has smooth notes of cocoa and cereal.
Espresso Forte: Exclusively made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has an intensely roasted balance of espresso and fruity notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Lungo range are:
Lungo Leggero: Lightly roasted East African, South and Central American Arabicas, with mild notes of jasmine is what makes up this delicious brew.
Lungo Forte: A complex mix of South and Central American Arabicas, this coffee has heavy roasted notes with a slight hint of fruit.
Lungo Origin Guatemala: A mix of Arabica and washed Gourmet Robusta coffee, Lungo Origin Guatemala is smooth and well balanced with dry and malty cereal notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules in the Decaffeinated range are:
Espresso Decaffeinato: Dark roasted South American Arabicas with a touch of Robusta enhances the cocoa flavors and roasted cereal undertones of this decaffeinated espresso.
Lungo Decaffeinato: This is a slightly more complex blend of separately roasted South American and East African Arabicas. It includes toasted cereal and sweet notes with subtle and floral hints of East African Arabicas.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Flavored range are:
Espresso Vanilla: This silky-flavored coffee is the result of a base of Espresso Forte, which is a complex and heavily-roasted blend of South and Central American Arabicas and a slightly caramelized aroma of vanilla. Espresso Caramel: On a base of Espresso Forte, this complex and intensely roasted blend made from South and Central American Arabicas has the sweetness of caramel.
Here are a few easy and healthy recipe ideas that are both quick to make and light to digest on hot summer days. With very few ingredients, the preparation of these recipes is a breeze. So go on, enjoy these easy, healthy recipes that are brimming with nutrition and taste heavenly too!
Greek Cucumber Rolls
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
This is popular among easy and healthy recipes. Slice cucumber into thin flat strips using a vegetable peeler and arrange them in slices of two on a clean tray. Smear the hummus on top of each slice, then toss some feta cheese, black olives and cut tomatoes on each of the cucumber strips. Squeeze a little lemon juice and sprinkle some finely chopped dill and cilantro. Finally, roll the strips, serve the Greek cucumber rolls and see them being gobbled up by the young and old alike!
Flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the directions on the label. In a thick bottomed pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped garlic and shallots. After about a minute or so, add the other vegetables along with salt and toss them gently for a few minutes. The vegetables must cook and be crunchy at the same time. When they are done, add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper to it and mix well. Serve this flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables for lunch or dinner as a filling, yet light meal.
Sunshine juice
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Direction
Squeeze juice from the oranges and blend the strawberries in a juicer. Then in a pitcher, take the orange juice, strawberry juice, and chilled water together and mix well. Refresh yourself with this yummy sunshine juice with ice cubes on a hot day.