Cheesy Chicken Mince Fritters with Broccoli

Ingredients

FRITTERS:

• 500 g / 1 lb chicken mince (ground chicken) , or turkey or pork (Note 1)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 packed cups broccoli , soft cooked & finely chopped (1 head)(Note 2)
• ¾ cup finely chopped shallots
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups shredded mozzarella (or other cheese of choice)
• 3/4 tsp salt (reduce to 1/2 tsp if using a flavored cheese)(Note 3)
• Black pepper

COOKING:

• Oil spray

YOGHURT RANCH SAUCE (OPTIONAL):

• 2/3 cup plain yoghurt
• 1/8 tsp EACH dried dill, parsley and chives
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ½ garlic clove, minced
• 1 – 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• Squeeze of lemon juice, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200C/390F. Line a baking tray with baking paper (or spray with oil).
2. Place Fritter ingredients in a bowl, mix to combine.
3. Measure out about ¼ cup of mixture and pat into fritter shapes about 6 cm / 2.25″ wide, 1cm / 2/5″ thick (they shrink a bit and become thicker).
4. Place on tray. Spray the top (generously) with oil.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, spray with oil again then bake for a further 8 – 10 minutes until golden on top. Serve immediately with Sauce.
6. Sauce: Mix ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside for 20+ minutes.

Recipe Notes:

1. 1. Chicken mince (ground chicken) sold at supermarkets can be very wet. Always look for packets that doesn’t have water in them (also indicates that it’s not very fresh).
2. 2. Broccoli – You will need about 1 medium head of broccoli, florets only. Cook using your preferred method until soft – I boil or steam. Then chop finely – see recipe video. You can use the thick stem if you want – peel the outside before cooking, once cooked, chop it very finely.
3. 3. Mozzarella cheese doesn’t have much salt in it. It stretches beautifully and that’s what I used in the photos and video. You can use any cheese you want. BUT if you use a flavoured cheese like cheddar, colby, tasty etc, reduce the salt slightly.
4. 4. MORE VEGGIES: This recipe can take about 1.5 cups of extra veggies. Suggestions: grated carrot or onion, grated zucchini with excess water squeezed out, corn, peas, finely sliced veggies like cabbage and spinach, finely chopped cooked green beans or asparagus.