Tempeh Meatballs with Spicy Spaghetti Sauce

This is my new “go to” spaghetti sauce – a bit of sweetness and a little kick of heat.

I decided to fry the Tempeh Meatballs as directed but then put in oven a bit to make sure they were heated well through.

Tempeh Meatballs with Spicy Spaghetti Sauce

By Isa Chandra Moskowitz:  Isa Does It Cookbook

Spicy Slurpy Spaghetti Sauce

Makes 4 cups

1            tablespoon olive oil

1            small yellow onion, finely chopped

3            cloves garlic, minced

1            tablespoon light brown sugar

1            teaspoon dried thyme

1            teaspoon dried oregano

1            teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

            freshly ground black pepper

1            (24 oz) can crushed tomatoes with basil  (I only had the regular kind)

1            teaspoon salt

Preheat a 2-quart pot over medium-low heat and add the oil.  Saute the onions in the oil for about 5 minutes, until slightly browned.  Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 minutes.  Add the brown sugar and cook for about 1 minute, until the sugar is dissolved and coats all the onions.  Mix in the thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.  Add the tomatoes and salt and stir everything together.  Cover the pot, leaving a little gap for steam to escape, and cook for 15 minutes.  Taste for seasoning and serve.

Tempeh Meatballs

1            pound tempeh (can be found at Trader Joe’s – or Whole Foods)

1            cup water

1            tablespoon tamari or soy sauce

1            tablespoon olive oil

2            cloves garlic, minced

3            tablespoon ketchup

1            tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2         teaspoon dried oregano

1/2         teaspoon dried thyme

1/2         teaspoon salt

              several pinches black pepper
1/2         very finely chopped yellow onion

1/2         cup panko break crumbs

              olive oil for frying

Bring a pot of salted water to boil for the spaghetti

Meanwhile, crumble the tempeh into small pieces in a 2 quart pot (I crumbled them quite small).  Add the water, tamari, and olive oil.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer, with the lid slightly ajar so that steam can escape, for 15 minutes.  Most of the water should be absorbed.  If there is excess water left, drain it; place the tempeh in a bowl and place in the freezer to cool.  It should take 10 minutes or so.  Give it a stir after 5 minutes to help it cool evenly.

Once the tempeh is cool, add the garlic ketchup, mustard, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.  Mix in the onion.  Now add the panko bread crumbs and use your hands to mix until it holds together very well.  If it seems loose, add extra bread crumbs by the tablespoon until you can form very tight, compact balls.  Scoop up roughly golf ball-size amounts and roll between your hands to for the balls.

Preheat a large nonstick pan (preferable cast iron) over medium heata.  Coat the pan with a thin layer of olive oil.  Add the meatballs one by one, rolling them in the pan to coat in oil.  If your pan is not big enough to fit all of the balls comfortably, then do them in two batches.  Panfry for about 10 minutes, rolling them frequently to cook evenly.  Serve with the cooked spaghetti and sauce.