Rocking kids finger food! Carrot, apple and chicken bites

A proper "bit of this and bit of that" dinner

My mother in law is staying with us at the moment and it's so great to have another set of hands and eyes especially.  Now they're yelling "Granny, look at me!" every 2 minutes instead of "Muuuuuum, look at me!" - heaven I tell you!!)

Anyway, she has told me that I am creating FAR TOO MUCH work for myself when it comes to dinners - especially with the kids.  Most nights, I cook something for Miss L, something completely different for Miss H and Master J and then more often than not, Mr D and I eat something else!!  I guess she might have a tiny point, but most of the time I just can't be bothered with the stress and drama of an argument.  (Besides, with my new friend thermomix, cooking most things is super duper easy now).

Keeping in mind that my kitchen "is not a hotel" (direct quote from the MIL) I have been looking for things to cook that are suitable for all of us - varying from a 9 month old baby, an almost 4 year old (fusspot) and a 6 and a half year old, Mr D (and of course something diet friendly for mummy).  Not an easy task (well I think so anyway).

The other day I tried out these MOST delicious chicken bites (for the small people) and burgers for us grown ups - and everybody loved them - RESULT!!  So I thought I'd share the recipe.  My recipe is for the thermomix but it can be very easily adapted to any style of cooking.

Ingredients:

500g chicken mince 

1 red onion

1 tbs olive oil

1 large green apple 

2 large carrots (peeled)

1tbs vegetable/chicken stock concentrate (or some fresh herbs instead)

1 egg

salt and pepper to taste

bread crumbs (for coating)

• Roughly chop the apple and carrot and grate for 5 seconds on speed 6.  Remove it from the TM bowl (or grater) and using clean hands squeeze out some of the excess juices.  Then set aside in a separate bowl.

Too much exces juice can made the bites/burgers very soggy!

• Chope the onion into quarters and add to the TM bowl.  Chop for 3-5 seconds on speed 7, add the olive oil and then saute for 3.5 minutes at 100 degrees on speed 1.

• Add all remaining ingredients (except breadcrumbs)  and mix for 15 seconds on reverse speed 2.

• Using your hands mould the chicken mix into small balls or patties (or big ones for the grown ups), roll into breadcrumbs* and lightly fry until golden brown and cooked through.

You could also roll these into balls and make chicken balls as an alternative

These bites/burgers were so yummy and they make awesome baby or toddle finger food as well as delicious burgers served up in a fresh bun with some healthy salad.  The other great advantage is that you can cook up a huge batch and freeze them.

Let me know if you have any rocking recipes that will suite the whole family??

*You can use shop bought breadcrumbs or make your own.  I made my own using a recipe from page 14 of the Thermomix Every Day Cookbook.