Turkey, Lemon & Feta Mini Meatballs, Baby Burgers or Sausage Rolls

Name: Turkey, lemon and feta mini meatballs, baby burgers or sausage rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g turkey mince ((you can substitute chicken mince)); 1 clove garlic (-finely chopped or crushed); 1 small red onion (-peeled and finely diced); 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves ((finely diced) or parsley leaves); 1 carrot (-finely grated); 1 small zucchini (-finely grated); 1 free-range or organic egg (-lightly beaten); 1 lemon (-zest); 30 g fresh breadcrumbs ((¼ cup) see below for gluten-free); 100 g feta cheese (-crumbled or cubed (see below for dairy free)); Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

January 14, 2014 | After School Snacks, Chicken, Healthy Lunchbox

Turkey meatballs, burgers, sausage rolls

I thought I’d share this simple yet versatile, nutritious turkey meatballs, burgers and sausage rolls recipe which are perfect for meals and snacks. I often make these for my kids parties – they go down really well with kids and adults alike.

These are a high-protein meal or snack and a really tasty way to ‘hide’ extra nourishment in the form of vegetables. They can be pre-prepared, frozen and leftovers are fabulous for school lunch boxes too.

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Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.

Turkey, lemon and feta mini meatballs, baby burgers or sausage rolls

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Total 45 minutes

Serves: 4

5 from 9 votes

This delicious Turkey, lemon and feta combination can be made into meatballs, sausage rolls or hamburgers. Both adults and kids love this recipe - its my go to for parties and celebrations.

Ingredients

500 g turkey mince (you can substitute chicken mince)
1 clove garlic -finely chopped or crushed
1 small red onion -peeled and finely diced
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves (finely diced) or parsley leaves
1 carrot -finely grated
1 small zucchini -finely grated
1 free-range or organic egg -lightly beaten
1 lemon -zest
30 g fresh breadcrumbs (¼ cup) see below for gluten-free
100 g feta cheese -crumbled or cubed (see below for dairy free)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

In a large mixing bowl or food processor, simply mix all of the ingredients together until they are combined well.
Then choose your preferred dish from the options below.
Sometimes, I'll use half of the mix for sausage rolls and the other half, is made into meatballs for the next day's lunch boxes.

Thermomix Method

If you need to, make your breadcrumbs from a frozen slice of bread, 10 seconds, speed 6. Set aside.
Add your garlic, onion (halved), mint or parsley, carrot and zucchini (chunks) and chop, 10 seconds, speed 5.
Add the mince, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon zest, feta and seasoning and combine on reverse, 20-30 seconds, speed 3 (you may need to scrape the sides to help it along).

Mini-meatballs

Preheat your oven to 180℃/350°F.
With damp hands, roll small balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cooked through and browning on top. Serve warm or cold.
I love these for the kids lunch box; either with a salad or vegetable sticks or as a wrap or fresh spring roll filler.
Alternatively, you could add a lovely tomato puree and serve over pasta - spaghetti and meatballs!

Baby Burgers

With damp hands, roll small balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then flatten with the back of a fork.
Place on a preheated BBQ or grill pan to cook.
Serve in little dinner rolls with the salad and sauce of your choice. They can be held together by running a toothpick through the centre if need be.
For a grain-free option, serve in lettuce cups, san chou bow style.
These make a delicious, healthy party food or a fast weekend lunch.

Sausage rolls

Preheat your oven to 180℃/350°F.
Beat one egg in a cup with a tablespoon of milk.
Take a sheet of all-butter puff or short crust pastry and cut it in half (or better still make your own pastry). Careme brand have a fabulous wholemeal spelt puff pastry that is my personal favourite.
Place the mince mixture along the centre of each half. Brush one edge of the pastry with the egg wash and fold the pastry over the mince.
Place on a baking tray (seam side down). Top with a little more egg wash and sprinkle over sesame seeds.
Cut into approximately 5cm long rolls and bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve warm.
Perfect party food or for a picnic or weekend lunch.

Tip

For green phobic kids, peel the zucchini and omit the parsley/mint (or just process it very finely so it can't be detected).

Store

Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. All can be frozen either raw or cooked. Allow to defrost fully before re-heating/ cooking

Variations

Gluten-free

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, rice crumbs or quinoa flakes to bind. Use a gluten-free pastry for the sausage rolls and gluten free buns or lettuce cups for the baby burgers.

Dairy-free

Omit the feta or replace with chopped cashew nuts and/or a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.

Egg-free

Omit the egg altogether (they just aren't as firm).

Sesame-free

Omit the sesame seeds in the sausage rolls (you can sprinkle with poppy seeds instead)

Onion and garlic-free

Replace the onion and garlic with finely diced fennel (from half a small bulb) and a pinch of chilli flakes.

Turkey, Lemon & Feta Mini Meatballs, Baby Burgers or Sausage Rolls