I believe it's never too early to introduce kids to gourmet food. A great way is to make food fun and kid-friendly. These "sleeping chicks" are extremely popular with my daughter and all her friends who visit for lunch or dinner. The puff pastry shells make a "bed", vegetables are the "sheets", the chicken-apple patties are the "chicks", and the little puff pastry rounds on top are the "blankets". These are very healthy treats too - all of the necessary food groups are represented here. Finally, this recipe is quite flexible. You can use your favorite cooked veggies or even salad, and the chicks can be served separately, with vegetables on the side. Adults will find these especially good with a little bit of mustard added on top of the chicks. They are delicious, served in any way, for all ages!
Ingredients:
1 whole boneless chicken breast
1/2 onion
1 apple, peeled and cored
1 egg
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt, pinch of pepper
Vegetable oil
1 package Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Shells (8 shells)
(or shape your own pastry shells from regular puff pastry dough and cut out little rounds for the "blankets")
1 large potato, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the puff pastry shells on a baking rack and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Put the chicken, onion, and apple through the meat grinder and into a large bowl. Add egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat. With your hands, scoop a little bit of the chicken mixture and flatten into round patties. Place on the skillet. Fry about 2-3 minutes per side, or until light brown.
In a separate skillet, heat oil on medium high heat. Add potatoes, red pepper, and onions and cook, stirring frequently for about 6-8 minutes, or until the veggetables are cooked and potatoes are golden brown.
Place a small scoop of vegetables inside the puff pastry shells, then top with the chicken patties and the puff pastry rounds.
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I'd like to thank Kendra at Homegrown Housewife for giving me a wonderful Lemonade Award!
