Yummy Cooking

LIVE:
To pursue a positive, satisfying existence; enjoy life.


Some of you may know that I love to cook, not just known recipies but to make up stuff - choose flavours I love and see what I can do with them. This love of cooking was in full swing when on Maternity leave 5 years ago! I loved the cooking network , loved creating new dishes. So in honour of my new found joy of excercising, I have decided to look at how I can make new dishes, that will give me the time to go to the gym ( read prepare ahead and freeze for hubby to pull out and warm up - thus avoiding the hot dog / Peanut butter sandwich dinners for my daughter)



Chicken and Basmati Vegetable balls

 So pulling out my brand new food processor I got for christmas ( which I have used 100 times already - I am not kiddding! thanks Mom ) I made these, meatballs you say? Nope
These are baked chicken and basmati rice  balls - and they were awesome dipped in sweet chili thai sauce !  the best part was my daughter loved them.. so what are the ingredients?

Cooked Chicken ( used the roasted one I had bought from the store the night before - removed skin and bones) -  I put it through the food processor until like a pate.
added Basmati Rice that I had cooked in fat free beef low sodium broth, that had purreed  steamed cauliflower, onions, celery and carrots in it. (I often have little freezer sides dishes I have prepared in advance in my freezer so dinner is easier to make during the week)

I then blended  it all in he  food processor, added an egg to hold it all together. Coated my hands in light vegetable oil and formed the balls. It was a little sticky and baked until golden brown on the outside -- all had been cooked previously but the egg. I also seasoned with my favourite flavours ( garlic, pepper and red pepper) - I did not add salt as the chicken is store made and the deli likely coated it in some sort of BBQ seasoning with salt.

I have to say I think even my husband was pleasantly surprised. My mom  liked them too - so why do I tell you this? Because this is something that makes me happy - I love to cook and I love to cook yummy things for my family -- Oh and the five year old thought they were good dipped in Ketchup! 2 of the balls and some salad and her dinner is done - all the while I am enjoying my time in the gym ( steam room reward!!) knowing she and my hubby ( who has so many wonderful traits his lack of in house cooking is excused forever) have eaten well. Means --- I find balance and I get to LIVE a life with a little more balance for me!