Chicken Burgers with Spinach and Cheese

With the exception of the occasional chicken nugget and fish stick, my son is vegetarian. I don't know what his problem is with meat and it's difficult to get him to try new things in general.

When he was three, he told me that he'd eat a hamburger when he was four. On his fourth birthday I took him to McDonalds, but he changed his mind.

When he was five, Meredith and I were telling him about the different animals we've eaten: chicken, fish, duck, frog, etc., when he said "I bet you can't eat a cow!" Meredith and I laughed and said "what do you think hamburgers are made of? Mmmmmmmm."

One day I'll get Jacob to eat a burger. Maybe he'll try a chicken burger first. With cheese.

Maybe not.

Chicken Burgers with Spinach and Cheese

• 1/2 orange pepper, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (550g) ground chicken
• 150 g (1/2 package) frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
• 3/4 cup shredded old cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp olive oil

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a nonstick or cast iron fry pan and fry garlic and peppers until soft (about five minutes).
   
   
   
2. Transfer pepper and garlic to a bowl and let cool for a couple of minutes.
   
3. Combine pepper mixture, chicken, spinach, cheese, bread crumbs and egg and mix thoroughly.
   
4. Form into six patties about 1/2 inch thick.
   
   
5. Using the second tablespoon of oil, fry patties on medium-low until cooked through (about 5-8 mintues each side). Use additional oil if necessary.
   
   

Recipes by the Haggis and the Herring: tasty world recipes tested in our kitchen