Recipe Wednesday: Spinach Cheddar Turkey Nuggets

It's HUMP Day! Yay!

Annnd, for the first time, I am linking up with Healthy Living Blogs for their Recipe Wednesday!

As a mother of a toddler, I have quickly discovered just how picky my child can be.  While I basked in the glory that my child loved veggies, he has now decided he doesn't want anything other than cheese or bread.  And since I am trying to raise a future Notre Dame football player (or Olympic Athlete, you take your pick), this refusal to eat anything other than cheese and bread is inhibiting this optimal athlete growth from happening.

I want to fuel his little body, and at the same time encourage him to eat all of the healthy options.  I don't want to force it, as I believes force just backfires and he pushes back, but I also don't want to ONLY "sneak" veggies in.  If you only offer veggies by "sneaking" them, then they just never learn to like it when it is in front of them.  I approach it in a combo kind of way.  At every meal, I offer veggies with whatever else Ryan is having.  Yes, it almost always ends up on the floor for our dog to eat, but Ryan knows it will always be there.  And while I always have a veggie out front and center, I do "sneak" some in his other food that I know he will eat, just to guarantee he is getting some in.

I am a HUGE fan of using spinach when making his food.  I food process it so that it breaks down in teeny tiny bits to easily mix in food and it also has such a mild taste, that it doesn't mess up the flavor of the food.  I mix it with his eggs in the mornings, his grilled cheese (when I give in to his obsession), etc.

I love making homemade nuggets for him at dinner too, and love processing veggies to mix in.  It gives me complete control over how much breadcrumb to use so that I know his nuggets are more meat and veggie loaded than breading.

Last night, I made Spinach Cheddar Turkey Nuggets and they were an absolute hit!  Ryan devoured them.  It had his cheese and a little bit of bread crumb (which he loves) but it also had lean turkey and spinach (which mommy loves).  We both were happy and I also devoured them.

So enjoy this recipe, my FIRST, for Recipe Wednesday!

Spinach Cheddar Chicken Nuggets

Prep Time: 10min

Cook Time: 30min

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Ingredients

• 1 pound of lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup whole wheat bread crumb
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet

2. Reserve 1/3 cup of breadcrumb.

3. Mix all remaining ingredients (minus the 1/3 breadcrumb) together.

4. Measure each nugget with a tablespoon and form into nugget shape. Dip into the 1/3 c. breadcrumbs for a light coat and spread evenly on baking sheet.

5. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out and flip, then bake for an additional 15 minutes until turkey is completely cooked.

6. Serve and enjoy or freeze!

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