Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Savory meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce with chunks of pineapple and green bell pepper. Serve as an appetizer, or as an entrée over a bed of rice.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, beaten egg, onion, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Gently shape mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs (gentle handling keeps them light and tender).
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, but not smoking, add meatballs to pan; do not overcrowd. Brown on all sides, adjusting heat as needed so they keep sizzling, but don't burn. Transfer meatballs with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain skillet.
3. Place skillet back on medium-high heat and deglaze with vinegar; scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits. Bring to a boil and stir in pineapple, brown sugar, green bell pepper and soy sauce. Return to boil and reduce heat. Gently simmer for a minute while mixing water and cornstarch together. Whisk into skillet until slightly thickened.
4. Return meatballs to pan, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm.

Makes 24 appetizer servings.