Asian-Inspired Meatballs

Description: This is a variation of my Recipe #226422 with a little Asian flair. It was a big hit with my husband. You could make this recipe as the main course of a meal, or it could work for an appetizer as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup saltine crackers, crushed
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cups catsup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon dried ginger (or 1/2 tsp fresh grated)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons molasses

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Thoroughly combine ground beef, milk, oats, crackers, egg, 1/4 cup onion, 1 teaspoons garlic powder, salt, pepper and chili powder for meatballs.
3. Form meat mixture into 1-inch balls and place in a 13x9-inch baking pan.
4. Combine catsup, brown sugar, liquid smoke, 1 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/4 cup chopped onion, ginger and sesame oil. Stir mixture until sugar dissolves (will be a bit grainy).
5. Pour sauce mixture over meatballs.
6. Bake at 350°F for one hour.
7. I like to serve this recipe with rice and steamed Asian veggies.