COURGETTE AND BACON FRITTERS WITH SWEET CHILLI SALSA

I wanted a very quick and reasonably light and healthy dinner, and had been looking forward to trying these fritters I found in my New Zealand House and Garden magazine. They were recommended for breakfast, I made them for dinner, and they would be great for a lunch or brunch too! Although at first I wasn't too sure about the salsa, the spiciness of the chilli sauce combined wonderfully with the coolness of the avocados.

COURGETTE AND BACON FRITTERS WITH SWEET CHILLI SALSA

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 rashers bacon, diced (I used 3 pieces of canadian bacon, just because thats what I had on hand)
2 cloves of garlic
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, thyme, dill - whichever combination you prefer)
2 courgettes (zucchini) coarsely grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons oil PLUS 1 tablespoon butter

SWEET CHILLI SALSA

1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 avocado, diced
lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a frying pan and saute onion, bacon and garlic until softened then set aside to cool.
In a large bowl combine egg, herbs, courgettes, salt, pepper and bacon mixture.
Sift flour and baking powder together then sift over mixture. Heat oil and butter until bubbling and fry tablespoons of the mixture for 2 minutes each side until golden.
Serve warm topped with sweet chilli salsa, and salad greens.

SWEET CHILLI SALSA

Combine sweet chilli sauce with the avocado. Add lemon juice and seasoning to taste.
Chill before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from New Zealand House and Garden
www.nzhouseandgarden.co.nz/