Often overlooked, millet is a highly-nutritious, naturally gluten-free grain that has been a staple food in India, Africa, and Asia for thousands of years. Millet sets up quite firmly when cooked with extra water and then cooled (similar to polenta) and adds a nice chewy texture. If you have Celiac Disease, buy a gluten-free brand of millet as it can often be contaminated with other glutenous grains. I use Bob's Red Mill without any problems.
I love red lentils in this recipe for their subtle flavour and great binding power. If you have Celiac Disease, please, sort and wash the lentils—actually, it's a good idea for everyone—it's not uncommon to find small stones and other debris as well as mystery grains in the package with the lentils.
I did not add salt to the list of ingredients in this recipe. Feel free to add salt if you wish, but keep in mind that capers and sun-dried tomatoes can be very salty. For those who wish to keep the salt content low, drain and rinse the capers, add the lesser amount of capers to the recipe, and use a salt-free brand of sun-dried tomatoes.
The recipe is very easy, but takes a while. The millet, lentils, and potato have to be cooked and cooled before they can be formed into balls. If you do this first step the day before, warm the mixture a bit before proceeding with the recipe. When cool enough to handle, add the seasoning ingredients, form the balls, chill while the oven preheats, and bake until firm. Fresh, the outsides will be crisp and the insides soft. The next day, they have a softer "crust" with a chewy texture inside. They hold together very well making them great travel food.
Makes 24-28 balls
1/2 cup gluten-free millet
1/2 cup red lentils, sorted
1 small potato, diced
2 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10-12 sun-dried tomato halves (not packed in oil), sliced
1/4-1/2 cup capers, drained and rinsed
To your health and happiness,
Beans and Rice