I recently heard about a favored dish from the upper Midwest called "Ham Balls." Once I investigated the recipe's ingredients to veganize, I chose to change the name to Harmless Balls. I made my own 'pork seasoning' (recipe included) but premade pork seasoning is vegan as it's just a blend of spices. Graham crackers sound crazy, but yes you need to use them. Nabisco Original Graham Crackers are accidentally vegan. I served these Harmless Balls with Vegan Noodles Romanoff
INGREDIENTS
2 x 8oz packages Trader Joe's Turkeyless burgers
1.5 x 12oz packages Impossible meat (or plant-based ground)
1 cup vegan graham cracker crumbs, finely ground
1 Tbsp pork seasoning(recipe below)
1 Tbsp ground flax seeds + 3 Tbsp water
1/2 cup plant-based milk
10 ¾ oz can condensed tomato soup
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
DIRECTIONS
1. Combine flaxseeds and water to create a flaxseed egg. In a large bowl, using your hands, combine the Turkeyless burgers, Impossible meat, graham cracker crumbs, plant milk, flaxseed egg and pork seasoning. Form into 16 large meatballs. Place onto parchment paper lined baking sheet and refrigeratefor 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. In a saucepan whisk together the can of condensed tomato soup, brown sugar, white vinegar, and 1 tsp dry mustard. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the brown sugar. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer balls to 9"x13" baking dish. Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, basting the tops of the balls with the sauce once or twice during cooking. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
(Pork seasoning blend **makes 5 Tbsp)
4 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1.5 tsp onion powder
1.5 tsp smoked paprika
1.5 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne powder
1.5 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 dried basil