Sticky Asian Meatballs and Cucumber Salad

Do you ever make up a recipe and on the first try it comes out so freaking good? I was super lucky with this Sticky Asian Meatball recipe, and I have to say, it is one of the recipes I'm the most proud of. So that's why I decided it should be the first blog post on Hapa Homecooking!

These meatballs are savory, a little spicy and a little sweet with a ton of umami. This dish will satisfy any take out cravings right at home. Now don't be intimidated by the ingredient list, it may look like a lot but these are all staples in Asian cooking and the technique is super simple. I recommend making the cucumber salad first so it can marinate while you make the meatballs.

I love to serve these meatballs over rice with a refreshing cucumber salad. This recipe really is a crowd-pleaser! I'd love to hear from you in you try it, and as always, I'm here it you have any questions.

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Sticky Asian Meatballs (Serves 6-8)

Meatball Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground meat (I prefer1 pound pork & 1 pound turkey)

• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon garlic

• 1/2 tablespoon ginger • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• Whites of 4 scallions diced (reserve the scallion greens for garnish)

Hoisin Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic

• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

• 3/4 cup hoisin sauce • 1/2 cup soy sauce (I prefer low sodium) • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons sriracha (optional)

Method:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

• Line two baking sheets with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray

• Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until combine, I like to use my hands

• Roll medium sized meatballs and arrange on baking sheet, my batch made 34 meatballs

• Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes

• While the meatballs bake, make the hoisin sauce

• In a large skillet with high sides or a large pot, heat sesame oil over medium heat

• Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, about a minute • Add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha and rice wine vinegar and stir to combine

• Add cooked meatballs to sauce and coat

• Serve meatballs over rice with a side of cucumber salad

• Garnish with scallion greens and sesame seeds, enjoy!

Cucumber salad ingredients:

• 4-5 Persian cucumbers or 1 large English cucumber

• 1/4 white onion

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon sugar • 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)

Method:

• In a large bowl, combine thinly sliced cucumbers and onion

• Add sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, salt and sriracha, stir to combine

• Marinate in the refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes, can be make several hours in advance

• Optional: garnish with sesame seeds