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Nuggets of health

Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 19 August 2010

As I come towards the end of my 'Eat Real Food this Summer' campaign, I'm delighted with all of the dishes I've covered. From home made pizzas, pasta sauces, salads and snacks, I've shown how easily and quickly you can make your own meals at home. There is the added bonus of being more cost effective as well.

Despite being sold the idea that readymade food is convenient, we are learning more and more that the cost of this is both our waistlines and our health. We all live in a world that is rushed and time is limited. So increasing your awareness of what you are eating, reading your labels and checking the content of salt, sugar and vegetable oils in a product will all help you make you start making better decisions in terms of your meals.

And experimenting in the kitchen with different ingredients and flavours will help you build up your experience so that you are never stuck for something to make. In the recipe below, I've given a simple way of making a dish that kids seems to love. Shop bought chicken nuggets can contain low quantities of chicken meat and a range of additives and preservatives.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

400g of chicken breasts or thighs that have been deboned Juice of half a lemon
1 egg
1 tbsp vinegar
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup wholemeal flour (or buckwheat flour if you want them gluten free) or a cup of wholemeal breadcrumbs
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp chopped herbs (I used parsley, thyme and chives)
¼ tsp sea salt
½ tsp freshly cracked pepper
Preheat oven to 180 oC

Slice the chicken into 6 nugget sized pieces and sprinkle on the lemon juice. While that is sitting, get two wide bowls out. In the first place the egg and whisk well with a fork, adding the vinegar. In the other place the flour, baking soda, paprika, herbs and salt and pepper. Mix well.

Dip the chicken into the eggs, making sure it's well covered. Next, dip the chicken in the flour, covering well. Place on a baking tray and bake for 10-15 mins or until chicken is cooked. Serve with a green salad for a lovely lunch.

If you have missed any of the 'Eat Real Food for Summer' recipes, simply click on the "Read my Articles" section of www.foodforliving.ie

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