The Real Deal Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

A ridiculously long name for these but it so fits the bill!

It might sound like a large quantity in this recipe but honestly, make at least a kilo of these! They don’t last so, to tell the truth, I use a couple of kilos of chicken, bake and freeze the leftovers, they freeze brilliantly for a quick dinner another night and can be gently reheated from frozen, too easy!

The bread that I use is a bit of a heavy wet loaf so by whizzing it with the polenta you get a lighter crumb rather than wet globby balls! 

And remember, use the heels and crusts of the loaf, it adds a little colour and saves any waste of what is always an expensive ingredient here in Australia.

Makes 42-50 depending on size.

Ingredients

450g gluten free bread

160g polenta

1 teaspoon mixed herbs

1kg minced chicken

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1&1/2 teaspoons salt

Pepper

2 eggs

40mls milk

Method

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Centigrade.

Line three baking sheets with baking parchment.

In a food processor, whizz the bread and polenta until you have fine breadcrumbs. 

In a large bowl or on a tray, combine the chicken, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and 280g of the breadcrumb mix.

Whisk the egg and milk in a bowl.

Add the mixed herbs to the breadcrumbs, mix well.

Take small amounts of the mince mix, form into a nugget shape or rough circle, dip in the egg and then in the reserved breadcrumbs to cover.

Lay the raw nugget onto the prepared tray and repeat with the remaining mix until it is all used up.

Bake in batches for 17-20 minutes, you might need to swap the trays half way through to get an even bake.

Serve hot.

Chocolate And Peanut Butter Brownies

Gluten free decadence here! 

If you don’t do peanut butter chips you can happily swap them for chocolate chips of omit them completely, this recipe will still work.

Makes 16 pieces.

Ingredients

125g butter

125g 70% coco solids chocolate

330g caster sugar

115g ground almonds/almond meal

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

100g peanut butter or chic chips plus extra for topping

Method

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Centigrade. Grease and line the base and sides of an 18cm square cake tin.

Melt the butter and chocolate, using a bowl over a pan of water or I just do it carefully in the microwave.

Weigh out the sugar, almonds and baking powder in a large bowl.

Whisk the eggs in another bowl and whisk in the vanilla extract.

Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold them in.

Spoon the batter into the lined tin, sprinkle over a few more chips and bake for 35 minutes.

Allow to cool a little in the tin before removing.

Chicken Wings With Ras El Hanout

Ras el Hanout is one of my favourite spices at the moment, a combination of coriander, paprika, cumin, rosebuds, caraway, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, cardamom and cayenne.

It gives this recipe a wonderful flavour and buying a premixed jar of spice mix saves me mixing my own!

Leftovers, if you have any, are a hit in my boys lunch boxes.

You can marinade the ingredients up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Serves 6.

Ingredients

2kg chicken wings, tips removed

150mls Greek yogurt

6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

1 lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons Ras El Hanout

Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Centigrade and line two baking trays with baking parchment.

Combine all of the ingredients.

Divide the wings between the trays and bake for 30 minutes, baste the wings with the pan juices and return to the oven for a further 45-50 minutes, basting as much or as little as you like.

I like to let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving and you can sprinkle over pomegranate or coriander.