Baked Cheese and Broccoli Patties

Jim and I both LOVED these delicious little patties.  I'm always on the lookout for recipes to make for my vegetarian friends as well as recipes that I can use veggies from my garden.  I learned something new today:  lacto-ovo vegetarians eat eggs and dairy products but not flesh.  My friend Cory Goodman shared this recipe with me via Facebook and it comes from SkinnyTownUSA (look for them on Facebook).  These patties were so easy to make, are healthy because they are baked not fried, clean-up is a snap, and were absolutely scrumptious.

Here's what you need:

Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, diced fine
1 16 oz. bag frozen broccoli, defrosted and rough chop
1 cup panko crumbs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with non-stick spray.

Heat oil and saute the onions and garlic until softened.  Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside to cool.







Step 2:  Place the thawed broccoli in a kitchen tea towel and twist each end tightly to remove any excess water.  In a bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the cheeses.  Give the broccoli a rough chop.






Step 3:  Add the broccoli, garlic, onions and panko crumbs to the egg/cheese mixture and mix well.

 

Step 4:  Form patties and place on baking sheet (this recipe made 12 patties).   

Step 5:  Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly (20-40 minutes This will help them to keep firm).  Flip the patties over and cook for another 15 minutes.

ENJOY!  I can see dipping these in a garlic aioli, mayo/dill or ranch dressing if one was so inclined.  They are great on the go snacks and are just as good cold as they are hot.