Bento Box Meatballs With Sweet and Sour Sauce |
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Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes |
Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 5 |
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This recipe is for a bento box lunch that is a favorite among children at a local Japanese restaurant. Recipe has sake but the alcohol cooks out during cooking. Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken or 1 lb ground beef |
1 egg (alternative is 1/2 tsp starch & 1/2 tsp water) |
1/2 cup onion, chopped |
1 tablespoon sugar |
1 tablespoon soy sauce |
1 tablespoon sake |
1 tablespoon ketchup |
2 tablespoons rice vinegar |
2 tablespoons water |
1 teaspoon starch (mixed with 1 tsp water) |
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for stir fry) |
Directions:
1. Combine ground meat, beaten egg and onion in a large ball and mix well. For children who have egg allergies, use pre-mixed 1/2 tsp starch and 1/2 tsp water to replace the egg. Form into bite-size balls.
2. In a small bowl, mix sugar, soy sauce, sake, ketchup, vinegar and water to make sauce.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in meatballs and cook about 5 minutes until outside is brown. Remove excess oil using paper towel, then add the sauce. Cook about 5 minutes more until the liquid is almost gone. Make sure meat is well-done.
4. Add pre-mixed starch and water to make the leftover sauce thicker.
5. Meatballs can be kept frozen without changing the texture or flavor. Cook many at once, freeze and defrost a small portion each morning!
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