Sweet and Sour Meatball Appetizers

These bite sized apps. are drizzled with a pineapple and soy based sauce, and the shredded carrot and finely diced pineapple keep the meatballs moist, while fresh ginger and Chinese five-spice powder amp up the flavor. They WILL be gobbled up!!
(makes 36 meatballs)

Coconut oil* cooking spray
1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks in their own juice*
3 T. unseasoned* rice vinegar
2 T. ketchup
2 T. Ponzu Citrus Sauce* or reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 T. brown sugar
2 t. cornstarch
1/8*-1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1 large egg
1 med. organic* carrot, shredded
1/4 cup finely chopped scallion whites
2 T. minced fresh ginger
1&1/2 t. Chinese five-spice powder
3/4 t. kosher* salt
8 oz. ground turkey breast
8 oz. ground pork
2 t. canola oil
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1" square* pieces
1/2 cup sliced scallion greens

Preheat oven to 450. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Drain pineapple juice into a small bowl. Whisk in vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and crush red pepper flakes. Set aside. Finely chop enough pineapple to yield 1/2 cup. Press out excess moisture with paper towels. Reserve the remaining pineapple chunks for the sauce. Lightly beat egg in a large bowl. Stir in carrot, scallion whites, ginger, five-spice powder, salt and the finely chopped pineapple. Add turkey and pork; gently mix to combine (do not overmix). Using a scant 1 T. each, make 36 small meatballs. Bake on the prepared baking sheet until just cooked through, about 15 mins. Heat oil in a large skillet over med. heat. Add bell pepper and cook for 1 min. Whisk the reserved juice mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Stir in the remaining pineapple and the cooked meatballs. To serve, thread a meatball, a red pepper square, and a piece of pineapple onto a small skewer or long frilly* toothpick. Transfer to a platter, drizzle with sauce, and sprinkle with scallions greens.

"Gone my transgressions, and now I am free - all because Jesus was wounded for me." ~ W.G. Ovens

Love One Another today and always,

MM