Chickpea Meatballs with Bacon Salad Recipe
Category: Main Dish
Servings: 80
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cooked Chickpeas | 500g |
| Bacon | 150g |
| Fresh Rosemary | 3 sprigs |
| Eggs | 50g |
| Parmigiano Reggiano DOP | 30g |
| Breadcrumbs | 100g |
| Sunflower Oil | as needed |
| Lamb’s Lettuce (Songino) | 100g |
| Almonds | 40g |
| Peanuts | 40g |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | as needed |
Instructions
-
Prepare the Bacon:
- Start by cutting the bacon into thin strips.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add the bacon, allowing it to cook until crispy and browned.
-
-
Add the Chickpeas:
- Add the cooked chickpeas to the pan with the bacon and rosemary sprigs.
- Toss gently and let them cook together for 3-5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
-
Make the Chickpea and Bacon Mixture:
- Transfer the bacon and chickpea mixture into a food processor.
- Blend until smooth to form a creamy consistency.
- Transfer this mixture into a separate bowl, add the egg, and stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano DOP.
-
Form the Meatballs:
- Using your hands, form the chickpea mixture into small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon in size.
- You should get around 80 meatballs from this batch.
-
Fry the Meatballs:
- Heat sunflower oil in a pan until it reaches 170°C (340°F).
- Roll each meatball in breadcrumbs to coat it, then gently fry them in the hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Once done, remove the meatballs from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
-
Toast the Nuts:
- While the meatballs are frying, roughly chop the almonds and peanuts.
- Place them in a dry pan over medium heat and toast for a few minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, add the fresh lamb’s lettuce (songino).
- Top with the toasted almonds and peanuts.
- Gently arrange the freshly fried chickpea meatballs on top of the salad.
-
Dress and Serve:
- Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the salad.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your delightful and hearty salad with crispy chickpea meatballs and bacon!
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~120 kcal |
| Protein | ~6g |
| Carbohydrates | ~15g |
| Fat | ~6g |
| Fiber | ~3g |
| Sodium | ~150mg |
This Chickpea Meatballs with Bacon Salad is a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. The crispy meatballs add richness to the fresh, crunchy salad, while the toasted almonds and peanuts give a wonderful nutty flavor and crunch. Whether you’re looking for a hearty dish for lunch or dinner, this recipe will certainly leave you satisfied!
