A Meaty Sweet and Sour

I have been so incredibly busy this past week. Between creating new websites and brochures, working on a few wedding invitations, playing trains with a 2 year old, and taking care of daily errands, I haven't had much time to blog. It's been over a week since my last post and I'm going through withdrawal! It's time to end the streak of internet silence and write.

What to write about? Oh, how about the sweet and sour meatballs I made last week? This was the second time I've made them in the past few weeks and they're pretty darn good. I even got the 'Mom Seal of Approval' on these when I made them for my folks. The right amount of sweetness with the right amount of tang makes for a quick weeknight meal that should please even the pickiest eater.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs


1/2 green pepper, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1/2 red pepper, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1/2 large onion, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 small can bamboo (optional)
1 small can sliced water chestnuts (optional)
1 can pineapple chunks in juice, drained and juice reserved

About 20 - 25 frozen meatballs

Sauce:
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c white vinegar
1 TB cider vinegar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 c + 2 TB brown sugar
all the pineapple juice from the can


1. Mix all sauce ingredients together and set aside.
2. In large skillet pan, cook peppers and onion together until slightly softened. (I used some previously frozen, chopped peppers so I didn't need oil because the water helped cook them. If you're using fresh peppers, cook them in about 1 tsp oil.)
3. Add sauce to cooked peppers and bring to boil, stirring occasionally.
4. Add bamboo and water chestnuts, if using.
5. Add meatballs and 1/2 the pineapple chunks from the can. Stir. (Feel free to munch on the rest of the pineapple chunks or save them for another use.)
6. Cover and simmer over med-low heat for 20 minutes or until meatballs are heated through and sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally.


Serve over rice. 

This same recipe can be used with chicken (or pork) instead of meatballs. Dice a few chicken breasts (or boneless chops) and cook in a separate pan with about a tablespoon of oil. When the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, drain and add to the sauce and vegetables. I like to add a can of bean sprouts to the chicken version but you can pretty much scan the Asian aisle at the grocery store and add whatever you'd like. Enjoy!