Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I came upon the basis for this recipe when I was trying to find something new to do with ground beef. After trying a few different ingredient variations, adding pineapple and changing proportions here and there, I now have a non-taco, non-spaghetti, non-meatloaf ground beef recipe. The sauce is tasty and thick but not heavy, and the addition of pineapple is a simple touch that adds so much. Serve over rice with steamed vegetables for an easy, throw-it-together-with-stuff-from-the-pantry dinner that is sure to please.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c dry plain bread crumbs
• 1/2 onion, diced

Sauce:

• 1 c packed brown sugar
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• Juice from pineapple can, plus water to equal 1 1/2 c total
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 c ketchup

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350. Line a large cookie sheet with foil.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix thoroughly and shape into golf-ball sized meatballs, it should equal about 24 balls.
3. Place meatballs (1 inch apart or so). Bake for 20 minutes, remove from sheet and let sit on paper towel.
4. Meanwhile, in large saute pan, combine brown sugar, flour, water/juice, vinegar, soy sauce and ketchup. Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to simmer, add pineapple chunks and meatballs. Toss, stirring often, until evenly coated and all is heated through.