Welcome to a healthier twist on a beloved Eastern European classic! Kotlety, or meat patties, are the ultimate comfort food for many, reminiscent of cozy family dinners. Our version updates this tradition for a modern, health-conscious kitchen. We swap out frying for baking and enrich lean pork with the goodness of oat bran and the vibrant sweetness of bell peppers. The result is incredibly juicy, flavorful, and light patties that are perfect for a nutritious family meal. Get ready to fall in love with a guilt-free version of this timeless dish!
Meat patties with bran and bell pepper
Ingredients for Meat Patties with Bran and Bell Pepper
- 600 g lean pork
- 50 g leek or onion
- 120 g bell pepper
- 50 ml milk
- 40 g oat bran
- 10 g olive oil
- sea salt, pepper
How to Make Meat Patties with Bran and Bell Pepper
Choose lean meat for the kotlety (minced meat patties, a popular dish in Eastern European cuisine) — preferably from the hip or shoulder. A little fat should be left to prevent the patties from being too dry. For a diet-friendly version, 20-30g of fat for the entire batch is sufficient; for a regular recipe, you can leave about 80g.
Choosing lean cuts of pork
Trim any sinews and tendons, and dice the meat and shpik (cured pork fatback) into small cubes.
Trimming sinews and tendons, dicing the meat and shpik (pork fatback)
Clean a bell pepper of any color by removing the seeds and membranes, then slice it into strips. Add leek to the pepper, or as in this recipe, the white and light green parts of green onions.
Cleaning and chopping the onion and bell pepper
Place the meat and vegetables in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth. Then, pour in the milk, add the oat bran, and season with sea salt to taste. By the way, to enrich your meal with various micronutrients, you can add wheat, rye, and buckwheat bran to the oat bran in equal proportions.
Grinding the meat and vegetables, adding oat bran, milk, and spices
Mix the ground meat mixture thoroughly; just like dough, it needs proper kneading! Cover the finished mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate on the bottom shelf for 20 minutes.
Mixing the ground meat mixture well and refrigerating for 20 minutes
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Grease a baking sheet with a thin layer of refined olive oil.
Take the bowl with the meat mixture out of the refrigerator and place a bowl of cold water next to it. Moisten your hands in cold water and form small, flat, oval-shaped patties.
Place the patties on the baking sheet, leaving a small space between them.
Forming patties from the mixture and placing them on a baking sheet
Place the baking sheet with the patties on the top rack. In a gas oven, bake for 8 minutes on one side, then remove the sheet, flip the patties, and continue baking for another 8 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 100°C (212°F) and let the patties cook slowly for another 10 minutes.
Baking the patties with bran and bell pepper
Serve the bran patties hot, sprinkled with fresh herbs. Prepare a fresh vegetable salad without oil to accompany this dish for a healthy, low-calorie lunch.
Meat patties with bran and bell pepper
And there you have it – tender, flavorful meat patties that are as nourishing as they are delicious! We hope you enjoy this wholesome take on a classic. These kotlety are fantastic served hot from the oven, garnished with fresh herbs, alongside a crisp green salad for a perfectly balanced lunch or dinner. For a more traditional pairing, try them with mashed potatoes or buckwheat. Don't forget to share your creations and let us know how you liked this healthy comfort food makeover!
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