Turkey, Lemon & Feta Mini Meatballs or Sausage Rolls

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 red onion (small) peeled and finely diced

2 tbsp fresh mint leaves (finely diced) or parsley leaves

1 carrot - finely grated

1 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

1. In a large mixing bowl or food processor, simply mix all of the ingredients together until they are combined well.

2. Then choose your preferred dish from the options below.

3. 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

1. If you need to, make your breadcrumbs from a frozen slice of bread, 10 seconds, speed 6. Set aside.

2. Add your garlic, onion (halved), mint or parsley, carrot and zucchini (chunks) and chop, 10 seconds, speed 5.

3. 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

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (fan-forced).

2. With damp hands, roll small balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

3. 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!

Sausage rolls

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (fan-forced).

2. Beat one egg in a cup with a tablespoon of milk.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Place on a baking tray (seam side down). Top with a little more egg wash and sprinkle over sesame seeds.

6. Cut into approximately 5cm long rolls and bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve warm.

7. 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).

Make-ahead

Allow to defrost fully before re-heating/ cooking. Re-heat in a low oven until just hot. Store

Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. All options can be frozen either raw or cooked.