I’m sort of on the fence about New Year’s resolutions. Sometimes I don’t make one at all and then feel guilty about it. There are only so many times you can pledge to get in shape or be nicer with dubious results at the end of the year. Once my New Year’s resolution was to wash my face every night, even if it was terribly late, and that became a good habit. Maybe the answer is to pick something that’s not tedious or obnoxious and that doesn’t involve constant misery and a personality change (aka, thinner, nicer). This year my simple resolution is to try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our family meals. Note: “more” is a great word to use in resolution making. This resolution will be good for us but at the same time, not misery inducing. I like fruits and veggies, so my personality will remain intact. When my son eats with us it’s a little easier. He likes most green things, other colors, not so much. And my husband does like fruit….in a pie, with ice cream, or in jello.
Ok it’s tricky but here goes –
My first menu after the holidays would set the pace.
I decided on meatballs – who doesn’t like a meatball – with red and green peppers, onions, and pineapple. I even used turkey for the meatballs and no one noticed. Beef would be fine, but cutting a calorie or two seemed like a good idea. The sauce was a sort of sweet and sour, mostly sweet, but definitely delicious. I put a bunch of sherry in it - my favorite weird ingredient crush. Personally I would have served this on noodles as a kind of unusual Asian spaghetti and meatballs, but my guys are rice fiends, so rice it was.
I let everyone plate their own dish while I looked over shoulders, convinced my husband would load up his plate with all of the pineapple and my son would stick to meatballs. I was pleasantly surprised by well-balanced servings and my guys were thrilled with the dish. They loved it! The comment, make this every week is the highest level of praise with this bunch. The fact that leftovers caused a squabble the next morning nearly made me swoon.
Add this to your recipe file and enjoy the compliments!
Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Peppers and Pineapple
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
1 egg
½ small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp black pepper
1/3 cup panko crumbs (you could use any breadcrumbs)
2 Tbsp flour to roll meatballs
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
2 cups fresh pineapple cubes (you could probably use canned)
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup sherry
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup sugar
½ tsp red pepper flakes – more if you like it spicy
4 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp canola oil
Directions
Make the meatballs: mix turkey, egg, onion, salt, pepper, red pepper, and panko. Use your hands, it’s easier. (hint: I always make extra and freeze them.)
Form into meatballs, I like smaller ones – see photo.
Put meatballs on a baking sheet and put in the refrigerator while you make the sauce.
In a small bowl, mix broth, sherry, soy sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium high heat.
Roll meatballs in flour and fry in two batches.
Remove meatballs and drain any remaining oil.
Add remaining Tbsp of oil to pan and cook bell peppers for about a minute.
Add pineapple and cook for another minute.
Add sauce and meatballs.
Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.
Serve over rice or noodles.
