How to Make 'Fake' Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 kilogram cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mixed spices
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (or yellow spice)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 grated carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups breadcrumbs (crushed rusk or cracker crumbs)
• 1/4 cup cream cheese
• Vegetable oil for frying, as needed
• Some partially fried potato sticks (half-fried)
• Puff pastry dough
• For a great recipe for potato wedges to serve with fast-food dishes, see: Baked Potato Wedges

Method

1. Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring, until it softens and changes color.
2. Add the cooked, chopped chicken to the onion and stir the ingredients for about 3 minutes.
   Timers: 3 min
3. Add the garlic, mixed spices, salt, cinnamon, turmeric, grated carrot, black pepper and the sweet peppers. Continue stirring for 5 minutes, then remove the filling from the heat and let it cool.
   Timers: 5 min
4. Roll out the puff pastry on a clean surface lightly dusted with flour. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough until it is thin.
5. Cut the pastry into four squares.
6. Place 1 teaspoon of the chicken mixture on each square near one edge, then add a piece of the half-fried potato stick. Fold the pastry over the filling so that half the potato stick remains exposed, creating the appearance of a chicken thigh.
7. Repeat with the remaining pastry pieces to form all the "thighs."
8. Prepare a deep plate with the beaten eggs and another plate with the breadcrumbs. Dip each fake thigh first in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs, and continue until all pieces are coated.
9. Heat vegetable oil over medium heat and fry the thighs until cooked through.
10. When they’re done and golden, remove them from the oil and drain on kitchen paper or a sieve.
11. Serve with fries and any sauces you prefer.