Waikiki Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is not a typical recipe for our household.  Anything with the word "meat" in the title is not going to be made very often around here.  However, I knew my husband would love these and that they would be a fun surprise for him when he came home from a lackluster day at work.  I was totally right.  Not only did he love the meatballs, but we all did.  The meatballs are flavorful by themselves, but are fabulous with the sweet and sour sauce.

A few notes: This makes enough sauce to not only coat the meatballs, but to have a little extra for your rice, as well.  If just want a light coating of sauce on your meatballs, half the sauce ingredients.  Also, I recommend using pineapple in juice (not pineapple in heavy syrup) or the sauce may turn out too sweet.  Although you can always adjust the brown sugar to compensate for the additional sugar in the pineapple.


Waikiki Sweet and Sour Meatballs
(adapted from AllRecipes)
Printable Version
Makes about 24 meatballs

Ingredients
MEATBALLS:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or turkey
2/3 cup dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

SAUCE:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2/3 cup white vinegar
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks (not in syrup), drained with juice reserved
pinch red pepper flakes
1 medium-sized bell pepper, chopped

Directions
1) In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients.  Shape mixture by rounded tablespoons into balls.
2) Place meatballs on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil, tenting the foil in the middle.  Cook at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until meatballs are brown and cooked through.
3) While meatballs are cooking, using a large pot, whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and red pepper flakes over medium heat.  Stir constantly until mixture begins to thicken.  Add reserved pineapple and bell pepper.
4) When meatballs finished cooking, add them to the sauce and fold together until combined.  Serve over rice.  Enjoy!