Crispy Chickpea Bacon Meatballs Salad with Toasted Nuts

Chickpea Meatballs with Bacon Salad Recipe

Category: Main Dish
Servings: 80
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bacon:

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   • 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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)

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!