Cocktail Meatballs: Cooking Options

1. Choose meat

Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 450g of ground meat (choose one type or a combination) in a large bowl.

• Ground beef
  
• Ground turkey
  
• Minced pork
  
• Meatloaf mix (beef, pork and veal)

2. Choose a binding ingredient

Add 3/4 cup of one of these ingredients to the minced meat.

• Breadcrumbs
  
• Panko breadcrumbs
  
• Saltine crackers, crumbled
  
• Butter crackers, crumbled

3. Add spices

Add 1 teaspoon of herbs or spices (choose one) to the minced meat.

• Paprika
  
• Ras el Hanout mixture
  
• Chili powder
  
• Fresh ginger, grated
  
• Fresh thyme, chopped

4. Prepare the meatballs

Add 1 large egg, 1 grated garlic clove, 1/2 grated onion, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the bread and meat mixture. Optionally, add 1 cup grated Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese or 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Mix thoroughly. Form into 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until set and lightly golden brown.

5. Choose your glaze

Choose a flavor combination and combine the glaze ingredients in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the baked meatballs and bring to a gentle, steady simmer. Cook, turning the meatballs occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glaze consistency, 12-18 minutes.

Hoisin:

• 2/3 cup water
  
• 2/3 cup hoisin sauce
  
• 1/4 cup ketchup
  
• 2 tbsp. l. rice vinegar
  
• 2 tablespoons of honey
  
• 5 tsp dark sesame oil
  
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce

Cranberry and chipotle:

• 1 cup of water
  
• 3/4 cup chili sauce (such as Heinz)
  
• 1/2 cup cranberry jelly sauce
  
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  
• 1/2 canned chipotle pepper, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce

Apricot:

• 3/4 cup water
  
• 3/4 cup ketchup
  
• 1/3 cup apricot jam
  
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

6. Add topping

Transfer the meatballs to a plate, sprinkle with one of the following ingredients, and serve with toothpicks.

• Green onions, sliced
  
• Chives, chopped
  
• Cilantro, chopped
  
• Roasted sesame seeds