So you want to eat a healthy meat ball sub?

Do you believe that healthy eating means you avoiding or "quitting" foods your love? James LOVES meatballs subs! I am a firm believer that optimal health is not about willpower, or sacrificing food you love. So, we set out on a mission: operation healthy meat ball sub!

I am pretty psyched with our final product consisting of 100% whole grain breads, lentils, tomatoes, walnuts, and a dash of cheese!

In our meatball sub creation, lentils substitute ground beaf. After a little research, I discovered that a small ¼ cup serving of lentils provides our body with 15 GRAMS of FIBER 13 GRAMS of PROTEIN and 25% of the daily recommended value of iron!

The subs are AAMMAZING, one of the best concoctions we created in a loooong time!
Try them out; don't let the lentils scare you!

Lentil Meatballs:
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
½ cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
2 cup Cooked Lentils
4 tablespoons oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, rinsed, and chopped

 ½ teaspoon dry sage
½ teaspoon thyme

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic stirring until the onions just begin to brown. Add the walnuts and continue to sauté for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Preheat the oven broiler. In a food processor, combine the lentils, tomatoes, and seasoning. Add the cooled onion mixture, stir well.

Use a tablespoon or melon baller to form the meatballs. If the mixture is too moist- add bread crumbs.

Spray cooking pan- place meatballs on pan. Broil 2-3 minutes until brown. Rotate meatballs and broil for 2 more minutes.
(Pratt, S. 2009).

Meatball Sandwich Artist

Gently place meatballs in 100% toasted whole grain hot dog rolls
Cover the balls with warmed 100% all natural tomato sauce (less than 190mg sodium per serving)
Top with a slim layer of cheese

ENJOY!!