HomeAbout the BlogMeet the ChefsMeet the EpicutiesMeal IndexContact Us

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Ground Chicken Mini-Pizza Burgers

I cannot remember how I came across this recipe (with modifications), but it met all my criteria for a good meal – healthy, not too many ingredients, and easy for little ones to self feed with, so I thought I would give it a try!  And as a BONUS, it’s a combo of two of Little Frances’ favorite foods – pizza and hamburger.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground chicken (although any ground meat will work)
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup of marinara or pizza sauce of your choice (divided into two 1/2 cup portions)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 3 dashes black pepper
  • 2 dashes garlic salt OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder (I used garlic salt)

Steps:

  1. Pour 1/2 cup pizza sauce in bowl and combine with bread crumbs, cheese, pepper, garlic salt or powder and Italian seasoning.107 (640x425)
  2. Add ground chicken and mash together for 2-4 minutes to insure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. 106 (640x425)
  3. Spoon mixture into a 12 serving muffin tin.
  4. Make an indentation into each pizza-burger with the back of a spoon..
  5. Use the remaining pizza sauce to evenly fill the dents in the pizza-burgers.110 (640x425)
  6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees; cheese and sauce will be bubbly.
  7. Remove pizza-burgers from the muffin pan and set on a paper towel to let any fat drip off.102 (2) (640x425)

Yield: 12 pizza-burgers

Timing: This one is tricky.  According to some baby food makers, all of the ingredients can be introduced as early as 9 months, however with all of the spices, I would not have given it to little Frances until she was 12 months so I will mark it as both below and you should use your best judgment.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5, easy peasy, especially if using premade marinara sauce.

Miscellaneous:

  • I made my own bread crumbs by putting brown bread into a chopper.  I have to do this with any recipe that calls for bread crumbs since you cannot buy them where I live.  Usually I season them with Italian Seasoning, but as this recipe already had a tablespoon of Italian Seasoning. I didn’t do it.
  • In addition, I thought that the recipe as is, called for too much Italian Seasoning so I only used half a tablespoon.  I find a little bit of it goes a very long way.
  • The next time I make this recipe, I am going to add 1/2 cup butternut squash to the mixture along with 1/4 cup milled flaxseed.  I bet it would be just as good and be even healthier!
  • I also have not found a bottled marinara or pizza sauce that I like where I live so I always just make my own.  Its so easy!  Just put a 26 oz jar whole, peeled tomatoes in a blender with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup carrot puree (optional), 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne powder and blend.  Then add 1 bay leaf and simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes.  Its super easy. For this recipe I just skipped the bay leaf and didn’t cook it because I knew that it would cook for a while in the oven.101 (640x425)

Epicutie Rating: Somewhat Yummy --- See right side of the page for description

I think Little Frances would like this better if served first thing.  She is usually not as receptive to new foods when she has a tummy full of foods she already likes, although the first couple of bites she seemed to like it.

Also, don’t forget about our fundraiser for Kai!  For a donation of ANY AMOUNT (even $1), you can be entered to win a 13 cup Kitchen Aid Processor!  For details, click here:

1 comment:

I am a warrior!



Little Tummy Yummies

About the Authors

This blog was started by two Babywise pen pals to document our adventures in high chair manners, making our own baby food and doing our bests to raise happy, healthy, thriving little ones!

Epicutie #1

Epicutie #1

Little Joy at 2 years, Sept 2012

Epicutie #2

Epicutie #2
Little Frances

Epicutie #3

Epicutie #3
Little Asher at 11 months, Sept 2012

Epicutie #4

Epicutie #4
Little Elizabeth, July 2013

  • Yummy in the Tummy: Epicutie thoroughly enjoyed each bite
  • Somewhat yummy: Epicutie seemed to somewhat enjoy the food at first, but seemed to like it less with subsequent bites
  • Not so sure I like it...yet: Epicutie somewhat rejected the first bites, but seemed intrigued. The next exposure may be better!
  • Confused: Epicutie rejected the first bites, perhaps due to texture or strong flavor.
  • Sour Puss: Epicutie gave a sour face indicating she did not like the food. However--if at first you do not succeed, try, try again!





  • Munchkin Land Designs Elements by Crisdam Designs

    Click Here for Other Awesome Giveaways!

    Labels

     
    Designed by Munchkin Land Designs • Copyright 2011 • All Rights Reserved