Tender Meatballs Teriyaki Sauce

1. Begin by preparing the buckwheat groats: Add the buckwheat groats and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 7 minutes.
2. Check the doneness of the buckwheat by tasting it; it should be soft but still have some texture, not mushy or crunchy. Drain the buckwheat, discard the cooking water, and set aside.
3. Set your oven to preheat to 175°C (350°F).
4. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
5. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, soy sauce, maple syrup, spices, oregano, and onion powder. Cook for another 30 seconds, then take off the heat.
6. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a food processor. Add the cooked red kidney beans, parsley, almond flour, breadcrumbs, and pecans. Pulse for 5-7 seconds, or until the mixture has a coarse texture.
7. Add the cooked buckwheat to the food processor and pulse for an additional 3-5 seconds. Avoid over-processing to maintain some texture; you should still see some whole buckwheat groats.
8. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the vital wheat gluten, and blend thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Using slightly damp hands, mold the mixture into balls (I used about 1.5 tbsp for each ball) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake the "meatballs" for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, work on the teriyaki sauce.
10. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, minced garlic, and cornstarch.
11. When the meatballs are ready, heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Shallow-fry the meatballs until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in the teriyaki sauce. Stir to coat the balls.
12. Serve the teriyaki meatballs immediately on a bed of rice or noodles, accompanied by greens.
13. The meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently heat them in a skillet, adding more sauce if necessary.