Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Ingredients

*For the Meatballs:*
– 1 lb (450g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 large egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

*For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:*
– 1 cup sweet chili sauce
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup honey
– 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon sriracha or another hot sauce (adjust to taste)
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper (for color and texture, optional)
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Preparation

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:**
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
– In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chopped parsley.
– Mix until well combined, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
– Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
– Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.

2. **Make the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:**
– While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha, garlic powder, ground ginger, and diced red bell pepper (if using).
– Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.

3. **Combine and Serve:**
– Once the meatballs are done, add them to the saucepan with the sweet and spicy sauce.
– Toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are fully coated.
– Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.

4. **Serving Suggestions:**
– Serve the sweet and spicy meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over steamed rice or noodles.

These Sweet and Spicy Meatballs are a crowd-pleaser, with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Enjoy!