Ask and you shall receive! As we kick of December, I’ve taken heed of your requests and bringing you all sorts of appetizers and festive goodies to get you set to be the hostess (or host) with the mostess (or most). For starters (pun intended), let’s get going with these sweet and spicy pineapple meatballs.
Thanks to the wacky calendar this year we’re moving swiftly from Thanksgiving into Christmas with nary a pause (I broke my own rule by decorated before turkey day this year) and with those leftovers already forgotten, it’s time to spice up your next hostess schtick with some flavors from the Pacific.
I mean, it’s party season and it won’t end until the sun sets on Mardi Gras (or March Madness?) so you might as well start collecting ideas now. Collect now, don’t stress later, I say.
Meatballs are always a favorite of mine at any party, and because they are so little I often lose count and guilt over shoving them one after one into my mouth as if they were M&Ms. I’ve made them before (see these most excellent sweet & sour meatballs) and am taking a page out of that book to give you this new version.
Part of this was inspired by the idea of the Aussie Burger (and thereby this Aussie Burger Chili) and while I couldn’t quite figure out how to get the beets in there (after not thinking too hard about it), the pineapple jam just seemed obvious. I actually think if you wanted to make this mixture into a burger and slap a runny egg on top, it would be amazing. Totally my jam. Or, jelly in this case.
Coming together in no time and with very few hands, you can definitely set and forget this recipe while you get on with more important matters. Because when hosting a party, there is so much more to do than worry about making elaborate food.
Want to do this with lamb or chicken? Do it! These sweet and spicy pineapple meatballs do not discriminate!
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Meatballs
December 6, 2019
: 20 meatballs
: 5 min
: 45 min
: Easy
Sweet and spicy pineapple meatballs are the best party appetizers, with pineapple jelly to give it sweet, and sambal oelek to give it kick!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (85% fat)
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 TB grill seasoning
- 1/2 cup sambal oelek
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple jelly
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- Step 1 Combine all ingredients, except the chili sauce, water and jelly. Mix them all together in a large bowl and form into 1 inch balls. Brown meatballs in a large nonstick skillet, with 2 TB oil, or put them on a cookie sheet under the broiler for a few minutes (you have to watch them and turn them when you see they are getting brown). Place on a paper towel to drain.
- Step 2 In saucepan, pour in the chili sauce, water and jelly. Add as much jelly as you want to taste to temper the heat. Simmer about 10-15 minutes, add meatballs and cook another 30 minutes until cooked through.
