Jednostavna jela slavnih često postanu viralna, no recept Hailey Bieber za pileće okruglice istaknuo se zbog jedinstvenog detalja. Tajna nije u samim okruglicama, već u onome što dolazi na vrh: velika žlica kremastog svježeg sira (cottage cheese) i obilje parmezana. Ta kombinacija, na prvu neobična, osvojila je društvene mreže i potaknula tisuće da isprobaju recept, hvaleći kremastu teksturu i bogat okus.

@emthenutritionist Hailey Bieber’s Chicken Cottage Cheese Meatballs I saw @Hailey Bieber make her chicken meatballs with cottage cheese and was inspired. Such a perfect summer recipe, these tomatoey chicken meatballs are so simple, high in protein but SO good. Cottage cheese keeps the meatballs soft and juicy, while the rich tomato, chilli and basil sauce is perfect for mopping up with toasted sourdough or feel free to pair with pasta. Finish with extra cottage cheese and plenty of Parmesan. Serves 4 at 400 kcal and 40g protein per serving For the meatballs 500g lean chicken mince, around 5% fat
Zest of ½ lemon
1 egg
60g breadcrumbs
1 tsp dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 big heaped tbsp cottage cheese For the sauce 1 tbsp olive oil
1 brown onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1 heaped tbsp tomato purée
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
400g passata
A large handful of fresh basil
Add the chicken mince, lemon zest, egg, breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic and cottage cheese to a large bowl. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then mix until just combined. Roll the mixture into 12 meatballs (I use wet hands to make this easier). Place in an air fryer at 210°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, or cook under a very hot grill until nicely browned. They do not need to be completely cooked through at this stage, as they will finish in the sauce. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for another minute, then stir in the tomato purée. Cook for 1–2 minutes until it turns a deeper red. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and passata, season well and simmer for around 10 minutes until slightly reduced. Nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Finish with torn fresh basil and a generous grating of Parmesan. Serve with a dollop of cottage cheese, extra Parmesan and more basil. I love this with toasted sourdough for mopping up the sauce and a handful of rocket on the side. #healthyfood #healthyrecipes ♬ original sound - Emily English

Ključ sočnosti leži u dva mliječna proizvoda. U smjesu za okruglice, uz mljevenu piletinu i jaje, dodaje se ricotta sir. Budući da je piletina posno meso, ricotta joj daje vlažnost i osigurava da ostanu mekane. Svježi sir koji se dodaje pri posluživanju daje dodatnu dozu proteina i u dodiru s vrućim umakom od rajčice pretvara se u kremasti preljev koji podsjeća na nadjev za lazanje.

Za pripremu je potrebno 500 g mljevene piletine pomiješati s jajetom, krušnim mrvicama, par žlica ricotte i začinima. Smjesu nemojte dugo mijesiti. Oblikujte okruglice, zapecite ih na ulju dok ne porumene, prelijte umakom od rajčice i kuhajte poklopljene desetak minuta. Poslužuju se vruće, s velikom žlicom svježeg sira i naribanim parmezanom.