Salmon Meatballs with Pesto

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serve: 4 (16 balls, 4 per serving)

Ingredients:
– 1lb. salmon, skinless, boneless
– ¼ cup almond meal
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
– 1 medium egg white
– 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
– 1 small red chili pepper, seeded, chopped
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Pesto:
– 2 cups basil
– 3 cloves garlic
– 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
– 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
– ½ cup avocado oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Cut the salmon into chunks and place in a food processor.
4. Process until finely chopped. Transfer the salmon to a large bowl.
5. Stir in almond meal, garlic, egg white, parsley, and chili pepper. Season to taste.
6. Shape the mixture into balls, and arrange onto a baking sheet.
7. Bake the salmon balls for 15 minutes.
8. In the meantime, make the pesto; place the basil, garlic, parmesan, and pine nuts in a food processor.
9. Process until smooth.
10. Set the process to the lowest speed and slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
11. Once the oil is incorporated stop the processor. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
12. Serve meatballs with fresh pesto.

Nutritional info per serving:
– Calories 565
– Total Fat 46.4g
– Total Carbohydrate 4.7g
– Dietary Fiber 1.5g
– Total Sugars 0.8g
– Protein 32.1g

Dr. Benjamin Bikman

Author

Dr. Benjamin Bikman, PhD, is a metabolic scientist and professor of Physiology & Developmental Biology, widely recognized for his research on insulin resistance, human metabolism, and metabolic health. As an expert in energy regulation and the hormonal drivers of obesity, he has published numerous studies connecting diet, macronutrient balance, and insulin response. Dr. Bikman is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of HLTH Code, where he applies his metabolic research to formulate science-backed nutrition solutions. He is also the author of Why We Get Sick, a leading book on metabolic dysfunction, and is frequently referenced in discussions on low-carb nutrition, protein prioritization, and metabolic wellness.