Sweet n’ Spicy Vegetarian Mushroom Meatballs

I’ve joked about how I’m always the one who shows up at parties with a veggie platter and hummus — although, can you call it joking if it’s entirely serious? Whatever. This is a known, slightly amusing fact.
Another interesting fact that you might not actually know? Not all hummus is made from chickpeas — there are a few other players on the market, like edamame, lentils, and, as we’ll see in this recipe, white beans (with carrots!). So, seriously, if you’ve got a hummus hater in your life (and I’ve known a few), it’s worth trying a few varieties, because, you know, when you change up the main ingredients and add various flavors, well, it really changes the game.

via GIPHY
The other thing you might not realize about hummus is that it’s not just a great dip — it can also be awesome in a wide array of recipes, like this Sweet n’ Spicy Mushroom Meatball recipe from Austin-based company Lantana Hummus.

Sweet n’ Spicy Vegetarian Mushroom Meatballs

INGREDIENTS
For Meatballs
1 pound white mushrooms, very finely chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
¼ tsp salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup quick oats
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
¼ cup Lantana Carrot-Sriracha Hummus
3 green onions sliced, light green & white part only
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Apricot-Soy Sauce
2 tsp cornstarch
½ cup cold water
½ cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
¼ tsp. ground ginger
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and salt to the hot oil and cook, stirring often, until liquid from mushrooms has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
2. Add garlic and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl, stir in oats, and allow to cool.
3. In a separate bowl, using a fork, combine remaining meatball ingredients. Mix well. Add to mushroom mixture.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Form mixture into small meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each, and place on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
7. While meatballs bake, combine all sauce ingredients in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly.
8. Combine meatballs with 1/3 of sauce mixture. Toss to coat.

Serving Suggestion: Serve meatballs with brown rice, edamame and steamed broccoli, drizzled with remaining Apricot-Soy Sauce.
Would you have ever thought to use hummus in a veggie meatball recipe? What’s a non-dippy way you’ve used it? I think it’s a delicious spread on wraps or bagels with some cheese and veggies. —Kristen