Recipe: Sneaky Chef Pizza Balls

(Here is a recipe from the Uncle Ben’s Event that I attended)

SNEAKY CHEF PIZZA RICE BALLS

Servings: 8

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups UNCLE BEN’S® Whole Grain White Rice Sweet Tomato

1 whole medium sweet potato or yam, peeled and coarsely chopped

3 whole medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick chunks

2-3 Tbsp. water

1 large egg

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 tsp dried oregano and/or basil

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1/4 cup wheat germ or oat bran, divided

Marinara sauce, for serving, optional

Procedure:

1. Prepare the UNCLE BEN’S® Whole Grain White Rice Sweet Tomato as instructed on the box.
2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and generously spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. To make the Sneaky Chef Orange Puree, drain the carrots and sweet potatoes and put them in the food processor with two tablespoons of water. Puree on high until smooth – no pieces of vegetables showing. Stop occasionally to push the contents to the bottom. If necessary, use another tablespoon of water to smooth out the puree, but the less water, the better.
4. Whisk together the egg, 1⁄4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the spices, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons Orange Puree, and 2 tablespoons of the oat bran or wheat germ.
5. Add cooked rice and mix well.
6. Pour remaining Parmesan and oat bran/wheat germ onto a plate and set aside.
7. Using damp hands, pinch off about 1 tablespoonful of the rice mixture and shape into small balls. Roll each ball in the oat bran or wheat germ and Parmesan mixture, coating fully.
8. Gently place the rice balls on the prepared sheet; generously spray the tops of the balls with more cooking spray, and bake for 5 minutes.
9. Using a spatula to loosen, turn the rice balls over, and then return them to the oven for another 5 minutes to brown on the other side. Serve with salt and pepper.

10. Serve as a handheld side dish or dipped in marinara sauce (with additional added White or Orange Puree, of course!).

Recipe created by Missy Chase Lapine, author of The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals. www.TheSneakyChef.com