Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Let's talk meatballs. They have always been a favourite in our house. Sweet & sour meatballs especially so. While following AIP I find that easy protein options are key! So, you guessed it, I've been eating a lot of meatballs. You do eventually get tired of plain old meatballs, though. Since I have given up refined sugar, soy, and tomatoes, my former sweet & sour sauce was definitely out. I got a craving for some so I decided to try a clean (pineapple based) sweet & sour sauce. It did not disappoint!

Now, let's be clear. This sauce is a treat, not a staple. You're going to want to drink the stuff and slather it on everything. (You've been warned.) While following AIP we want to keep our sugar intake (yes, even natural sugars) in check. Between 10-20 g of fructose per day has been recommended. So enjoy the sauce, but try not to go crazy with it. That being said, this sauce has the goodness of bone broth, ginger, & turmeric in it. All of which make for a happy body!

These meatballs make up quite quickly. The recipe can be easily doubled for leftovers or for a bigger crowd. They're perfect as a main dish served over cauliflower rice. They are also great served on their own as a fun appetizer. Enjoy! ​

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Sweet & Sour Meatballs

​Yield: Approx. 20 meatballs in 1.5 cups of sauce.

Time: 30 min.

Variations: Option for AIP seed reintroduction.

Equipment Needed: Blender or Food Processor

MEATBALLS:
Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 cup sweet potato purée (Leftover mashed sweet potato works great. Or bake a sweet potato and mash it up.)
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. sea salt (or pink salt)
• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. onion powder

**Optional for seed reintroduction:

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. mustard powder

Method

• Preheat oven to 450F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Place all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl & knead until fully combined.
• Take 1 Tbsp. of mixture at a time & roll into balls. Place evenly on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 12-15 min. (They are done when cooked through & starting to brown.) While they are baking, make the sauce.

SWEET & SOUR SAUCE
Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh pineapple cubes (about 1/2 a pineapple)
• 1/4 cup bone broth, cool
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. raw honey
• 1 1/2 tsp. fresh, grated ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp. arrowroot starch
• 1/8 tsp. turmeric powder
• sprinkle of salt

Method

• Purée pineapple in blender or food processor (you should end up with 1 cup pineapple purée).
• In a small bowl or cup, stir together bone broth & arrowroot starch. Put into a large saucepan along with the pineapple & the rest of the ingredients. Whisk together.
• Cook over medium heat, constantly whisking, until the sauce has boiled and thickened.

Add the cooked meatballs to the pan of sauce. Let simmer on low for a few min. Serve hot.

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Tip: The sauce can be used on it's own, hot or cold, as a dipping sauce. Try it with my Chicken Strips!

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Let me know what you think! Scroll down to comment.

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