Florida Grapefruit Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (optional)
- 450g ground chicken, turkey or pork
- 60g finely diced onion
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For Sauce:
- 500ml juice from 4 Florida Grapefruit
- 200g granulated sugar
- 40g cornstarch
- 80ml white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 red pepper, seeded and cut into 1.27cm pieces
- 2 Florida Grapefruit
Preparation
1. In large bowl, whisk together garlic, egg, soy sauce, cornstarch, ginger and five-spice powder (if using). Mix in ground meat and onion until combined. Divide into sixteen equal portions; from each into ball about 3.8cm in diameter. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat; brown meatballs all over. Drain off any fat; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in large saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in grapefruit juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat just until mixture begins to boil and thicken. Add meatballs to sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes. Gently stir in red pepper. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut rind and pith from grapefruit. Use a small, sharp knife to cut sections away from membrane. Stir gently into sauce; let heat through for 1 minute.
3. Tip: For a buffet appetiser, make the meatballs half the size and serve in a chafing dish.
4. Tip: This recipe is easily doubled, and can be made up to 2 days ahead. Reheat over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
