Teriyaki Meatballs

Teriyaki Meatballs

Meatballs:
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1/3 c. dry bread crumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 T. milk

Sauce:
1/2 c. soy sauce
1 3/4 c. water
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 T.  honey
3 T. cornstarch
1/2 c. cold water

For the sauce, in a medium bowl mix the soy sauce, 1 3/4 cups water, ginger, garlic powder, brown sugar, and honey together. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch into the 1/2 cup cold water. Set both bowls aside.

For the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix until combined. Form ground beef mixture into 1-inch meatballs. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat two tablespoons oil over medium heat until the oil is rippling and hot (I would omit the oil when using 85% or fatter hamburger). Add the meatballs to the hot skillet and brown on all sides, turning with a pair of tongs. The meatballs don't need to be completely cooked through, just browned on all sides.

When the meatballs have browned, pour the sauce ingredients over the meatballs and gently turn the meatballs to coat them in the sauce. Heat the sauce until just simmering and add the cornstarch/water mixture, carefully mixing so as not to break apart the meatballs as you combine the cornstarch mixture with the teriyaki sauce.

Simmer the meatballs and sauce over medium heat, maintaining a constant simmer but not cooking at too high of a boil, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thick and smooth (if the sauce becomes overly thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time to thin), about 10-15 minutes, turning the meatballs every two or three minutes to ensure even cooking. Serve over rice.

Adapted from (www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com)