Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Coconut Pineapple Sauce

When I went to make this dish I realized that I only had 1 pound of meat, not the 1 1/2 pounds that I needed. I really hate it when things like that happen. I am such a planner, and with it being meat, I can't blame the husband or kids for eating an ingredient I needed.

Going to the store to get more meat was not an option, and making something else was also not an option. But while digging through the freezer, because I was sure I had a 1/2 pound of frozen meat in there, I came across some frozen chorizo in the exact amount I needed. Sure, why not add a little spice to the dish. It could be good right?

Turns out it was good choice to add the chorizo. It gave the dish a little spice with out overpowering the other flavors. If you do not want the dish to be spicy, just replace the chorizo with the same amount of ground turkey or other ground meat you are using.

Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Coconut Pineapple Sauce

Ingredients:

Meatballs

• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 pound ground chorizo
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2/3 cup bread crumbs

Coconut Pineapple Sauce

• 14 ounce can coconut milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 20 ounce can pineapple chunks in 100% juice, drained and juice reserved
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For Serving

• rice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
2. In a large bowl combine the milk, turkey, chorizo, onion powder and bread crumbs, just until combined.
3. Using about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture, form into a ball and place on a baking sheet. Continue until all the meat mixture has been formed into meatballs.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until completely cooked.
5. While the meatballs are cooking, combine the coconut milk and brown sugar in a medium sauce pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the brown sugar dissolves.
6. In a small dish add the cornstarch and then pour 1/4 cup pineapple juice over top. Stir until well mixed.
7. Slowly drizzle in the pineapple and cornstarch mixture into the coconut milk mixture while stirring. Continue to stir and heat over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
8. Serve the meatballs, pineapple chunks and sauce over rice.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 527
Total Fat		30.1g
Saturated Fat		16.6g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.3g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		81.4g
Sodium		508.7g
Potassium		142.9g
Total Carbohydrates		35.1g
Dietary Fiber		2.3g
Sugars		20.7g
Protein		25.7g
Vitamin A 12.6% Vitamin C 19.8%
Calcium 14% Iron 15.4%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Capturing Joy.