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Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Like most kids, my daughters love meatballs! Whether it's beef, chicken, pork or turkey, they wouldn't say no to it! Well I love meatballs too...but I'm sure it's not just a "gene" thing. It's more of the easy-to-chew goodness that makes it a hit to everyone.

Aside from Spaghetti & Meatballs and Meatballs in Mushroom Sauce, this simple Sweet and Sour Meatballs is one of our family's favorite meatball dishes...
This is called Sweet and Sour Bola-bola(bola is the Filipino word for ball) in the Philippines and was my late mom's favorite. This is one of the first dishes that I learned to cook myself. I love the wonderful flavor of this dish. It may seem time consuming to prepare but it's all worth it. You can use store bought frozen meatballs, or you can make, cook and freeze the meatballs ahead of time for an easy meal. Clarise and Cherlin enjoy this a lot, that is why I always make lots of meatballs and just store it the freezer. When they ask for it, I'm always ready! :)

 
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium-sized red onion, minced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp Herbs de Provence
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
  • vegetable oil, for frying
For the sauce:
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup vinegar (I used cane vinegar)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce 
  • ¼ cup banana ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water
 Others:
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 green (or red) bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 medium-sized carrot, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • vegetable oil, for frying 
  • pure olive oil for sauteeing
  • salt and pepper

Procedure: 
For the meatballs:
1. In a bowl combine ground beef, minced onion, garlic, bread crumbs, egg, Herbs de Provence, Worcestershire, 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined. Roll into 1 inch diameter balls. 
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry meatballs in oil until brown. Remove from pan and set aside.  
For the sauce:
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sauce ingredients except for the cornstarch.  Mix until well combine. Bring to a slight boil while stirring continuously. 

2. Add the dissolved cornstarch and continue stirring for about 2 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside.

For the dish:
1. In a wok or skillet over medium heat, saute garlic in olive oil until light brown. Add onion and saute until translucent.
2. Add cooked meatballs, pineapple chunks, bell pepper and carrots. Saute for a minute. Add sauce. Season with salt and pepper to suit your taste. Simmer for about a minute or two. Remove from heat. Serve with hot rice.

27 comments :

  1. What is banana ketchup? I made a note on my grocery list to check for it at the Asian market near me, but I'm curious what it is.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Mary!

      Banana ketchup is what's more popularly known as Filipino ketchup, and you can find it in most Asian stores. It's made from mashed banana, sugar, vinegar and other spices. It's sweeter compared to tomato ketchup.

      In case you try the recipe, let me know how it turns out...

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  2. I need to find banna ketchup, my daughter will love it. This one looks delicious, it has all the flavors we can ask for.

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    1. You can use regular ketchup, Swathi. Just add a little more sugar to compensate for the missing sweetness of banana ketchup.

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  3. Those meatballs look so juicy and delicious! Steamed white rice will go perfectly with it, I can almost taste it Tina :)

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  4. How interesting...meatballs in sweet and sour sauce...I never had meatballs this way...it sure look very tasty.
    Thanks for the recipe Tina and hope you are having a fun week :)

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  5. I like your sweet and sour take on the good ol' meatballs. I've never tried banana ketchup but it sure sounds delicious!

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  6. Delicious dish , Tina ! I just can imagine the taste ! Mmmmmmm ! :D

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  7. Looks like I've got the same genes! I too love meatballs and, I love sweet and sour stuff. So very appetising! You've got my droolbuds going, Tina!

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  8. Bola is the same in my language too ( Indonesian ) but for the meat ball we call it bakso :) Btw bola-bola looks so tempting,I love that you add pineapple and vegetable in it sound very tasty :)

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  9. Perhaps it is a "gene thing" because our entire family loves them...can't wait to try these!!!

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  10. Oh, these look delish, Tina! One nice thing about fall approaching is that hot meals like this will be perfect for dinner! I will save this recipe to try :)

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  11. You have all the delicious ingredients that I look for in a sweet and sour meatballs. Love those veggies flavors mixing with the meat. Delicious.

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  12. Looks DELISH! P.S... what is banana ketchup???

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    1. Hi Tiff! Banana ketchup is what's more popularly known as Filipino ketchup. It's made from mashed banana, sugar, vinegar and other spices. It's sweeter compared to tomato ketchup.

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  13. I would much rather have sweet and sour meatballs than ones smothered in a marina sauce! I've never made them, but I have devoured them whenever I could. I love your recipe, especially the sauce! I'm not familiar with banana ketchup, but it sure sounds good! Lots of great veggies!!!!

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  14. This is such a popular dish especially in the giant furniture mall Ikea here in S'pore. Love those colours!

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    1. One reason why we go to Ikea is their Swedish meatballs! Yum!

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  15. I love meat balls. too but your way is quite different.I like putting that glaze on them.

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  16. Your meatballs are so delicious looking :D
    Beautiful flavour twists!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  17. I love sweet and sour flavor ad I am sure those meatballs would be a hit in my home too Tina!

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  18. Idea is great and I would love sweet and sour meatballs :) I would probably make chicken meatballs.. :)

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  19. This is the sweet and sour meatballs recipe that I truly love. What a great family recipe -- thanks for sharing. Yes, the banana ketchup is such an essential ingredient in our Filipino pantry! I always call this dish the "sweet and sweet" meatballs even if our parents called it "agrio y dulce". To me, it will be an all time fave!

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  20. These meatballs sure look delicious! Definitely would be a hit with my guys:D

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  21. Wow so delicious:) Great time with Family :)Happy to follow you on Google plus. Please follow me back dear or like my FB page TangyMinds :)

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