Spanish Lentil Stew with Veggie Meatballs

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 carrot
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup dried lentils (green)
• 1 liter vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 15.5 oz can of chickpeas
• 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup chopped onion (for meatballs)
• 1 clove garlic (finely grated, for meatballs)
• 1 small carrot (finely grated, for meatballs)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• sea salt
• freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for frying meatballs)