Thai Meatballs With Spicy Dipping Sauce

Submitted by gailanng

"One tasty appetizer. Two cooking methods given."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Yields: 3 dozen meatballs

ingredients

• Meatballs

• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 stalk about 1/3 cup finely chopped lemongrass or 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 red jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• salt

• Spicy Dipping Sauce

• 1⁄2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 red jalapeno chiles, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion
• 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar

directions

1. Heat oil in fryer or medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. For Meatballs: With a light hand, combine pork, egg, cilantro, lemon grass, jalapeños, cornstarch, soy sauce, garlic, sugar and salt in medium bowl. Roll into 3/4-inch meatballs. Fry a few meatballs at a time until lightly browned and no longer pink in center. Drain on paper towels.
3. For Spicy Dipping Sauce: Combine vinegar, soy sauce, jalapeños, green onion and sugar in small bowl.
4. Serve warm meatballs with wooden picks and Spicy Dipping Sauce.
5. For Baked Meatballs: Preheat oven to 350°F Place meatballs on greased, rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned and no longer pink in center.