Chicken Meatball Harvest Bowls – NEW RECIPE

Harvest bowls are awesome – lots of nutritious, yummy food and different flavours in one bowl to enjoy.

This Chicken Meatball Harvest Bowl, created by registered dietitian and foodie Cheryl Meyer from Dish & Delite, packs in cooler-weather seasonal veggies – brussels sprouts, zucchini, cauliflower and carrots. A great fibre boost and lovely variety of colour, vitamins and minerals.

We also love this recipe because all the elements keep well in the fridge and can be mixed and matched through the week for on-the-go lunches and quick, easy dinners.

 

This recipe serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Rice

½ cup raw brown & wild rice

 Chicken meatballs

250 g chicken mince

1 cup coarsely grated zucchini

¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup fresh wholewheat or low GI bread crumbs

½ onion, diced

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

½ tablespoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon chicken stock powder

vegetable oil – for frying

Roasted veggies

300g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

300g cauliflower florets

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

Dressing

1 cup fat-free plain yoghurt

¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

salt and pepper, to season

Carrot

1 large or 2 medium (200 g) carrots, coarsely grated

 

METHOD

  1. Rice: Cook the rice as per the package instructions.
  2. Meatballs: Combine the chicken meatball ingredients. Using a tablespoon to measure, divide the mixture into 20, roll each meatball between your hands to form 20 small balls. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. When ready to cook, heat a frying pan with a shallow coating of vegetable oil and cook the meatballs in batches until lightly golden on all sides and cooked through. Once cooked, place on paper towel to soak up any excess oil.
  3. Roasted veggies: Line a baking tray with baking paper or foil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower to the tray, drizzle with olive oil, thyme and crushed garlic and toss to combine. Roast at 200°C for 15-20 minutes, tossing mid-way.
  4. Dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients.
  5. Assemble: Enjoy your bowls warm or cold. Divide the rice, roasted veggies and grated carrot into four bowls, add 5 meatballs to each bowl and top with a generous drizzle of dressing.

 

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving

Energy: 1532 kJ; Protein: 26.8 g; Carbohydrate: 37.1 g of which, total sugars: 7.1 g; Fat: 16.1 g; Fibre: 10.0 g; Sodium: 287 mg

 


Zucchini, oatmeal & chickpea fritters with grilled chicken, tomato, feta & mint salsa

We have a brand new NutritionConfidence recipe, created by chef, Vanessa Marx!

The oat bran and chickpea flour used in the fritters provide a good source of healthy soluble fibre, which lowers the glycaemic index of this dish and aids in blood sugar control. Adding zucchinis not only ups the fibre content even further, but is also an easy way to get in a portion of veggies.

Instead of using store-bought marinades, which are often high in salt, sugar and preservatives, Vanessa has packed in some punchy flavours by using paprika, lemon and thyme to season the chicken.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

For the Fritters:

1/2 cup ground oats or oat bran

1/2 cup chickpea flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup low fat milk

2 free-range eggs

3 medium zucchini, grated

10 ml chopped fresh parsley

a pinch of salt & pepper to season

10 ml canola oil

  • In a bowl, mix together the ground oats and chickpea flour, with the baking powder and seasoning.
  • Make a well in the centre, and add the two eggs and milk.
  • Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a batter, and then add the grated zucchini and mix well.
  • Heat a non-stick pan on a medium heat, and drizzle with half a teaspoon of the canola oil.
  • Spoon a tablespoon at a time into the pan to make the individual fritters.
  • Let the fritter form a crust on the underneath side and become golden brown and set a little, before flipping them over with a spatula.
  • Let the fritters cook through and have colour on both sides, then remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Cook the fritters in 2 batches, so you don’t over crowd the pan.
  • Set them aside on a platter or plate.

Makes 12 fritters

For the Chicken:

4 free-range chicken breasts

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

zest & juice of 1 lemon

5 ml chopped fresh thyme

salt and pepper to season

10 ml canola oil

  • Cut the chicken breast into strips and season with the paprika, lemon, thyme, salt & pepper
  • Put a frying pan on a high heat and add the canola oil.
  • When the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for around 2 minutes on each side, until browned, and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken strips from the pan heat and set aside until you are ready to serve.

For the Salsa:

2 large tomatoes

30 g spring onion

1 TBL chopped fresh mint

100 g feta, cut into cubes

1 TBL lemon juice

1 TBL olive oil

salt & pepper

  • Roughly chop the tomatoes into dice, and slice the spring onion
  • Mix together the chopped tomatoes, mint, spring onion and feta and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste and mix well.

To assemble:

  • Place the fritters onto individual plates or a platter to serve.
  • Top the fritters with the grilled chicken
  • Pile the salsa over the top of the chicken and garnish with fresh coriander leaves

 

Nutrition information: Per serving (recipe serves 4)

Chicken*: Energy: 160 kCal/ 675 kJ, Fat: 3.6 g, Carbohydrates: 0.27 g, Fibre: 0.33 g, Protein: 31.4 g, Sodium: 95 mg

*130 g raw portion per chicken breast

Fritter: Energy: 43 kCal/ 178 kJ, Fat: 2.1 g, Carbohydrates: 2.9 g, Fibre: 1 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Sodium: 210 mg

Salsa*: Energy: 107 kCal/ 448 kJ, Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 4.9 g, Protein: 6.2 g,  Sodium: 181 mg

*Using reduced fat feta