Asian-Style Meatballs

One of my first go-to meals before I really knew how to cook was Asian-Style Meatloaf. Well, I've tweaked my recipe here and there and switched it up into meatballs. They're easier to freeze, eat and control portion size. Whenever I want something like comfort food, but am tired of the same old flavors, this is what I turn to. Sweet, spicy, tangy - this meatball is almost everything but plain and boring. Doesn't hurt that you can whip this whole meal up in 1/2 hour, either. And, on that note, I'll keep this post sweet and simple, here's the recipe!


Asian-Style Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound Ground Beef (or Turkey or a mixture of Pork and Beef would be more authentic for an Asian-style, I've done it many ways)
• 1 Large Carrot
• 1/4 Cup Crushed Walnuts
• 1/2 Red Onion
• 2 Tablespoons Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Frozen Orange Juice (or Apricot Jam/Orange Marmalade or in a pinch - 1/2 Ketchup and 1/2 Lemon or Lime Juice)
• 1-2 Tablespoons Sambal Oelek (Ground Fresh Chili Paste)
• 1-2 Teaspoons Ginger (I like 1, but that might be enough for some Ginger lovers)
• 2 Cloves Garlic

Directions:

1. Set oven to 400 degrees
2. Mince onion and garlic
3. Wash carrot and peel, using the peeler shave off the carrot in small pieces 
4. Mix together all ingredients (do not over mix - if you break down the meat too much it will be mealy, especially with ground turkey)
5. Form into balls and place on aluminum foiled baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes

If you want a quick complete meal, all you have to do is get your rice into a rice cooker before making the meatballs and 5 minutes before the end of the meatball cooking time, steam some green beans, add a clementine on the side and there you have it! No excuses not to make a real meal. And makes seriously excellent leftovers.