1cupadzuki bean (before soaking it), soaked for at least 8 hours, well rinsed and drained, alternatively- use 2 cups of cooked adzuki beans
1medium onion
1medium carrot
1/2cupbasil
1/2cuppecans
1/4cupnatural oats
1teaspoondried oregano
1teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
for the sauce-
14oz/ 400 gr crushed tomatoes
1small onion, finely chopped
3clovesgarlic, finely chopped
1/4cupbasil + some to serve, coarsely chopped
1/2cupwater
2tablespoonolive oil
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
Instructions:
Cooking the adzuki beans - place the adzuki beans in a pot with plenty of water (like cooking pasta). It is very important to remember not to add salt, which will delay the cooking of the bean and leave it stiff. Bring to a boil and cook for 40 minutes. Drain.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and prepare a large oven tray lined with baking paper or silicone roasting mat.
In a food processor, place all the meatballs ingredients - cooked adzuki beans, onion, carrot, basil, pecans, oats, dried oregano, salt and pepper, and grind well until the mixture is uniform.
Using clean hands, make the meatball - about 2-inch/ 5 cm diameter. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
In a wide sauté pan heat olive oil, add finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes while stirring. Add chopped garlic cloves and cook for another minute. Add crushed tomatoes, water, basil leaves, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on low heat for 10 minutes. If you want the patties to have lots of sauce, you can add another 7 oz/ 200 grams of crushed tomatoes and half a cup of water.
Carefully add the baked patties to the cooked sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes, and no longer than that. make sure you don't add the patties to a boiling sauce (it should simmer gently). Sprinkle with basil leaves on serving.