Health Hotline Magazine | November 2022

S A V O R Y V E G A N Mushroom-Walnut Bites

Makes: About 30 bites | Prep time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 40-45 minutes | Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

These savory bites are a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving celebration! Crispy on the outside with a soft interior, they make a delicious vegan main dish, and are especially good when paired with Natural Grocers ® ’ Rosemary Mushroom Gravy and Margaret’s Awesome Cranberry Sauce (find these recipes at naturalgrocers.com/recipes). They taste best freshly baked, but you can make the recipe through step 4 and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours to prep them ahead of time.

Ingredients

Instructions

• 4 tablespoons Natural Grocers ® Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided • 1 medium organic onion, diced • ½ pound organic mushrooms (we used cremini), wiped clean, stems trimmed, and chopped • 2 organic garlic cloves, minced Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Seasonings: • ½ teaspoon Real Salt • ½ teaspoon Organic Ground Black Pepper • 2 teaspoons Organic Poultry Seasoning Blend • 1 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Walnut Halves & Pieces • 1 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Rolled Oats (or sub gluten-free oats* to make a gluten-free version) Optional garnishes: fresh organic rosemary or thyme

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, swirl to coat the pan, and add the onion. Sauté, stirring frequently, until onion is just starting to become translucent. Add the mushrooms and continue to sauté until onion is cooked through and mushrooms have released their juices, 8-10 minutes total. Add the garlic and seasonings and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. 3. While the vegetables cook, pulse the walnuts and oats in a food processor until they are a coarse meal consistency. 4. Once the vegetables have finished cooking add them to the food processor and process, scraping the sides as necessary, until the mixture comes together and looks a little sticky. 5. Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a small bowl. Wet your hands lightly and roll the mixture, one tablespoon at a time, into a ball, then roll in the olive oil. Place on the baking sheet and continue until the mixture is all rolled, wetting your hands as necessary to prevent sticking. 6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until browned and slightly firm to the touch. Serve immediately.

*Note: Natural Grocers Brand Bulk ingredients are packaged in a plant that processes gluten.

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