Slow-Cooker Sticky Thai Meatballs

Submitted by gailanng

"From Serious Eats: The key to these slow-cooker Thai-style chicken meatballs is to understand that the sauce gets better as it slowly cooks, but the meatballs don't. To fix that, we first cook the sticky sauce, packed with aromatics like lemongrass, ginger, and chilies, then add the flavorful meatballs right at the end just to cook them through. Crushed peanuts, scallion, and fresh lime juice finish it off for added texture, fresh flavor, and bright balance. See the process here: http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/01/how-to-make-slow-cooker-thai-chicken-meatballs.html"

 

• Ready In: 10hrs
• Ingredients: 20
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 4 stalks lemongrass, roughly chopped (tender stalk bottoms)
• 3 medium shallots, roughly chopped
• 6 medium garlic cloves
• 3 medium jalapenos, seeded and minced
• 1 (3 inch) knob fresh ginger, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons asian fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup thai-style chili sauce (Kikkoman)
• 2⁄3 cup light brown sugar
• 2⁄3 cup soy sauce
• 1⁄2 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 lbs ground chicken
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, plus more if necessary
• 1 large egg
• 1⁄2 cup thinly sliced green onion, white and light green parts only divided
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro leaf, and tender stems
• 1⁄2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime, juice of

directions

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine lemongrass, shallot, garlic, jalapeno, ginger and fish sauce. Process until the mixture forms a paste.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the aromatic paste, reserving the rest for the meatballs. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in Thai chili sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce and rice vinegar and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker, cover and set to low for at least 5 and up to 8 hours.
4. Preheat broiler and set oven rack in upper position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine reserved aromatic paste with ground chicken, panko, egg and half of the sliced scallion (1/4 cup). Season with salt and pepper. Using wet hands to prevent sticking roll the ground chicken into golf ball–sized balls. If the mixture is too wet to form meatballs, add 1 tablespoon of additional panko at a time until it is easier to shape.
5. Broil meatballs until browned on top, about 7 minutes. (Browning times can vary dramatically depending on oven broiler strength.) Transfer meatballs to a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use; pour any juices from baking sheet into sauce in slow cooker.
6. Add meatballs to slow cooker for last 30 minutes of cooking, stirring to coat.
7. In a small bowl, combine remaining scallion (1/4 cup), cilantro, chopped peanuts and lime juice.
8. Once the cooking time is up, switch the slow cooker to the “warm” setting. Right before serving, sprinkle approximately 3/4 of the peanut mixture over the meatballs and stir. Top with the remaining peanut mixture and serve.