Thai Meatballs With Spicy Dipping Sauce

One tasty appetizer. Two cooking methods given.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• 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.