I had some leftover black beans from making lunches, and I was serving Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli and Spaghetti Sauce — leftover, too.  I decided they needed meatballs, so this recipe was born.  I don’t have a picture because they were gobbled up before I had the chance!  I will make them again and post one soon.

 

I was looking for a meatball that didn’t fall apart.  I saw the hemp seeds on my counter, and questioned, “How about adding these instead of oatmeal/bread/cracker crumbs?”  We were all pleasantly surprised by the flavor and texture.  My daughter asked, “You don’t have a recipe for these, do you?”  She was correct.  I just threw the ingredients together until the consistency looked like it would form into a ball without falling apart.  So the real Improvisational Gourmet Technique would be a large handful of hemp seeds and a small handful of dried onions.  As you learn what you and your family like, you will begin to learn how much is needed.  Wh

en I started cooking on my own, I did not believe this was possible (though I did see that this is how my mom and grandma cooked).  Once you learn to trust yourself with cooking (and are willing to eat or throw out your mistakes), this is a real time-saver — and also makes you feel more in control of your meals.  It is then that you truly become the Improvisational Gourmet.