Polynesian Meatballs

Tonight's dinner was Polynesian Meatballs with rice.  Fast, easy and kid-friendly...see ingredients below...

I start by making the meatballs - preheat oven to 350 degrees - mix ground beef (a couple of pounds) with a couple of Tablespoons of finely chopped onion and season with salt and pepper.  Form small bite-sized meatballs and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet (make sure it has a rim).  They need to bake about 20 minutes.  No extra fat required so much healthier than frying and they taste better!  A parchment lined sheet makes clean up easier too.

While your meatballs are baking, start your rice cooking.  Just follow the directions on the package.  Then chop up half an onion and one green pepper into large but bite-sized pieces.  Set aside and finely chop 2 large cloves of garlic and about an inch of fresh ginger root.

In a large pan, next you make the sauce.  Mix one cup of water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 2 Tbsp of cornstarch, 6 Tbsp of brown sugar, 1/4 tsp dry mustard and 1/2 tsp salt.  Whisk to mix well - especially the cornstarch.  Turn heat on to medium and add 2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 6 Tbsp of  ketchup and a 14 oz can of pineapple with the juice (I like to buy the rings and cut them into large chunks myself).  Stir to mix well.  The cornstarch will start to thicken the sauce. 

Add the vegetables and the meatballs.  Stir gently to mix and simmer for about 20 minutes to cook the veg.  Stir every 5 minutes or so. 

Spoon over rice and serve.  This recipe makes 4 servings and took me about an hour start to finish.  It could easily be made after work, it tastes great warmed up the next day and this recipe appeals to kids.  Enjoy!