Spicy-Sweet Cranberry Meatballs with Balsamic Cranberry-Fig Compote

Saw this one in the paper this morning, and wanted to share. You can make these up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate the meatballs in their sauce. Reheat over low or in a slow cooker. The meatloaf mixture also makes great slider patties!!
(makes 35 meatballs and 3 cups of sauce)

Meatballs:
1 lb. ground beef (15% fat)
1 lb. ground pork
1/2 cup dried cranberries, minced
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 t. grated fresh ginger,
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Kosher* salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 T. canola oil

Balsamic cranberry-fig compote: Or store bought whole cranberry sauce plus 2 T. balsamic
1 cup water
Juice of 1 orange
1 cup chopped dried figs
1 cup Sugar in the Raw*
1 cinnamon stick
1 10 oz. package fresh or frozen cranberries
2 T. balsamic vinegar
Zest of 2 orange
Pinch of kosher* salt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 T. brown sugar
2 T. soy sauce
1*-2 T. sriracha hot sauce

To make the meatballs: Combine the 1st 9 ingredients in a large bowl. Roll into 36 golf ball size meatballs. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over med.-high. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, cook meatballs 5 min., turning to brown on all sides. Remove meatballs from pan; pour off excess fat. Return pan to med. -high heat. Add 1 cup of the compote, water, hoisin sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce and sriracha. Stirring to combine; bring to a simmer. Add meatballs, stirring gently to coat with sauce. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 30 min. or until meatballs are done., stirring occasionally. Serve with frilly* colored* toothpicks and sauce on the side.
To make the compote: Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in the OJ, and figs. Let stand 15 min. Return pan to med.-high. Add sugar and cinnamon stick; bring to a boil Add the cranberries. reduce heat; simmer 10 min. or until cranberries start to burst. Remove from heat; stir in balsamic, zest and salt. Cool completely; transfer to a jar. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks.

"The most treasured gift we can give to God is our love."

Love,

MM