Fantastic Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Fantastic Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This recipe combines juicy meatballs with a tangy sweet and sour sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• For the Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated onion
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserve some for later)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup chopped fresh pineapple (reserve some for garnish)

Cooking Guide:

1. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Don’t overmix!
2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Heat a large skillet with a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the browned meatballs from the pan and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, cornstarch, soy sauce, and water. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Add the diced bell pepper and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until softened slightly.
6. Stir in the reserved pineapple chunks and browned meatballs.
7. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of additional pineapple juice or water.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor: Use ground pork or a combination of ground beef and pork for the meatballs.
• Make it ahead: You can form the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• Spice it up!: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture or the sauce for a little kick.
• Serve with: Cooked rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor.
• Leftovers: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.

Enjoy your Fantastic Sweet and Sour Meatballs!