Waikiki Meatballs

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2/3 cup cracker crumbs (about 16 Saltines)
1/3 cup minced onion
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp shortening
2 Tbsp cornstarch (I use 3 Tbsp because I also add 1/2 cup water)
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 can (13.5 oz.) pineapple tidbits or chunks, drained (reserve syrup)
1/2 cup water (not in original recipe–I added this to make sauce a little less sweet)
1/3 cup vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/3 cup chopped green pepper (I use a whole green pepper)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix thoroughly beef, crumbs, onion, egg, salt, ginger and milk. Shape mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into balls. Melt shortening in large skillet; brown and cook meatballs. Remove meatballs; keep warm. Pour fat from skillet.

Mix cornstarch and sugar. Stir in reserved pineapple syrup, water, vinegar and soy sauce until smooth. Pour into skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils (about 10-15 minutes). Boil and stir 1 minute.

Add meatballs, pineapple and green pepper; heat through. Serve over rice.

Serves 4-6

*Found in Betty Crocker’s Cookbook (1972)*

Tags: Betty Crocker