Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs

These are great served at a get together or for a meal with rice.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  egg
• 1⁄4 cup  dry breadcrumbs
• 2 -3  cloves fresh minced garlic
• 1  large green onion, finely chopped
• 3  tablespoons  finely grated carrots
• 1  teaspoon  fresh grated gingerroot
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1  lb ground pork

• SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

• 1  cup  pineapple juice
• 1⁄3 cup ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup cider vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  small onion, finely chopped
• 2  cloves fresh minced garlic
• 2  teaspoons  fresh grated gingerroot

Directions

1. For meatballs: In a large bowl, beat egg until frothy.
2. Stir in breadcrumbs, fresh garlic (if using) 2 tbsp green onions, carrot, gingerroot, salt and pepper; mix in the ground pork.
3. Roll pork mixture into 1-inch balls.
4. Bake on a foil-lined baking sheet, in a 375 degree F oven for about 15 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink inside.
5. For sweet and sour sauce: in a bowl, whisk together, pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar, maple syrup and cornstarch; set aside.
6. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic and fresh ginger, stirring often, for about 4 minutes.
7. Stir in pineapple juice mixture; bring to a light boil, reduce heat, simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 5 minutes).
8. Add in the meatballs to coat.
9. Transfer to a baking dish.
10. Cover and bake in 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes stirring often.
11. Sprinkle with remaining green onions.
12. Note: these meatballs can be made ahead of time, and frozen until ready to use in this dish, just shape into balls and freeze on a cookie sheet.