Chicken & apple balls

from The Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner by Annabel Karmel

These little balls make perfect finger food.

The grated apple adds a delicious flavour which makes them appealing to young children. Delicious hot or cold.

MAKES 20 CHICKEN BALLS

• 2 teaspoons light olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated

• 2 large chicken breasts, cooked, cut into chunks

• 1⁄2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or sage, chopped, or a pinch mixed dried herbs

• 1 chicken stock cube, crumbled (from 1 year)

• 50 g/2 oz fresh white breadcrumbs

• salt and freshly ground pepper (from 1 year)

• plain flour for coating

• vegetable oil for frying

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté half the onion for about 3 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze out a little excess liquid from the grated apple.

2. Mix the apple with the chicken, cooked and remaining raw onion, herbs, stock cube (from 1 year) and breadcrumbs and roughly chop in a food processor for a few seconds. Season with a little salt and pepper (from 1 year).

3. With your hands, form into about 20 little balls, roll in flour and fry in shallow oil for about 5 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through.