These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a great addition to any meal rotation, whether for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish will have everyone asking for seconds!
1cupof crushed cracker crumbsRitz or Club crackers
FOR THE SAUCE:
4cupsof Pineapple Juice
1large can of Pineapple Chunks including juiceIn heavy Syrup
½cupof Brown Sugar
1Tablespoonof White Sugar
⅓cupof of Soy Sauce
1Green Pepper - cut in large pieces
1Red Pepper - cut in large pieces
1large Carrot - sliced in pieces
1large Sweet Onion - cut in large chunks
1teaspoonof minced garlic
2Tablespoonsof Corn Starch
Water - enough to mix with the corn starch until it's smooth - about ¼ cup
Instructions
Place the Ground Chuck in a large bowl, and sprinkle with garlic salt, seasoned salt, and seasoned pepper.
Add the chopped onion, and minced garlic, and stir with a large spoon.
Add the Italian Seasoning, Sweet Basil, Oregano, Brown Sugar, Ketchup, Egg, and crushed cracker crumbs.
Stir all together until well blended.
Butter the bottom and sides of an 11 X 14 pan, and set the Meatball mixture close to the buttered pan.
Roll the Meat mixture into balls, about 1 ½ - 2 inches, and place them in the pan.
When all the meatballs have been rolled and placed in the pan, put the pan in the oven on 400 degrees.
When the Meatballs are golden brown, (about 30 - 45 minutes) turn them over, and put them back in the oven for 15 minutes, to brown on all sides.
In a large bowl with a spout, place the Pineapple Juice, Pineapple Chunks, including juice, and stir in the Brown Sugar, White Sugar, Soy Sauce, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Carrot, Sweet Onion, and Minced Garlic.
Remove the dish from the oven, and pour the sauce over the Meatballs.
Place the dish back in the oven, and bake for 20 minutes.
Mix the Corn Starch with the water, until there are no lumps, and corn starch is smooth.
Open the oven door, and carefully spoon the sauce into the corn starch slurry, until you have about 1 cup of liquid with the corn starch.
Pour the Corn Starch Slurry over the Meatballs, and gently stir, to blend into the sauce and Meatballs.
Close the oven door, and continue baking until the sauce is bubbly and thick.
Remove the Meatballs from the oven, and cool for 10 minutes.