Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sweet n' Sour Meatballs

This is a complete meal with all the veggies and meatballs in it.  Delicious!
Meatballs:
1 1/2lb ground beef
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg
Method:
To make meatballs put ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, cornstarch and egg in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Form into 1" round meatballs. Brown in some butter or oil in saucepan.
Tips:  If I have gluten free onion soup mix I would just add about 1/2 pkg. to the ground beef with the egg and cornstarch.

Sauce:
14 oz. pineapple tidbits
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 beef cubes ( or 1 tablespoon beef gravy mix - use a gluten free brand of mix or cubes if you require gf)
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup ketcup
3/4 cup sweet pickles, with a bit of pickle juice - 1-2 tablespoons
2 green peppers (or yellow, red, green mixture) sliced/diced
2 carrots - cut into sticks about 1" long.
Method:

Drain pineapple, reserve juice.  In saucepan add the water and beef cubes (if using gravy mix, stir it into a little cold water first and pour into pan.).  (I use a gluten free beef gravy mix). Bring to a boil to dissolve the beef cubes, stirring constantly.   Add the vinegar, ketchup and brown sugar. Stir. Mix the 2 tbsp. cornstarch into the pineapple juice.  Stir into the sauce and cook until thickened. Add meatballs. Simmer 5-10 minutes. Add the carrots and peppers.  Simmer 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.  Stir in the pineapple.  Serve over rice.
I cut up the vegetable fairly coarse.  Use a mixture of peppers if you wish to have more colour.