CHIPOTLE TURKEY CROQUETTES WITH PARMESAN & FLAXSEED CRUST

It might not look like a healthy snack, but these croquettes are baked instead of fried and the lean turkey is full of healthy minerals.

SERVES: 4     PREP: 35–40 MINS     COOK: 20–25 MINS

1–2 tablespoons olive oil

4 scallions, quartered

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks

1 carrot, coarsely grated

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1 pound fresh ground turkey breast

1 teaspoon mild paprika

1 small dried chipotle chile, finely chopped

1 egg

1 tablespoon cold water

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

⅔ cup flaxseed, finely ground

sea salt and pepper, to taste

AVOCADO DIP

1 large ripe avocado, halved and pitted

grated zest and juice of 1 lime

2 tablespoons fat-free Greek-style yogurt

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush a baking sheet with a little of the oil. Finely chop the scallions and red bell pepper in a food processor. Add the carrot, thyme, and turkey, then sprinkle with the paprika, chile, and a little salt and pepper. Process until evenly mixed together.

2. Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture onto a cutting board to make 16 oval mounds, then press them into smoother shapes between your hands.

3. Lightly mix together the egg, water, and a little salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Mix the cheese and ground flaxseed in a separate shallow dish. Dip the croquettes, one at a time, into the egg, lift out with two forks, draining well, then roll in the cheese mixture. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Continue until all the croquettes are coated.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until golden, turning halfway through cooking and brushing with the remaining oil, if needed. To check that they are cooked, cut one croquette in half—the juices should run clear with no traces of pink.

5. When the croquettes are almost ready to serve, make the dip. Scoop the avocado from the shell, mash with the lime zest and juice, and mix with the yogurt. Spoon into a small bowl set on a large plate, then arrange the hot croquettes around the dish and serve immediately.

per serving: 414 cal / 22.4g fat / 3.8g sat fat / 14.4g carbs / 3.4g sugars / 1.2g salt / 8.9g fiber / 40.3g protein