Computer Frustration and Waikiki "Meat"balls

No pictures yet, folks! I won't wait until everything's "perfect" (because that will never happen!), but I'll hold off on posting pictures of the house until you can actually see the house, and not just stacks of boxes. (^_^) I planned to recorded a snippet of Maren and Malcolm talking about our new home to share with you all today, but I am mystified by the malfunctioning microphone/recording software. Perhaps tomorrow!

So instead, I'll share a recipe from my childhood (and the 1971 edition of the Betty Crocker cookbook, as pictured at right). I'm thrilled to enjoy this dish again since discovering President's Choice World's Best Meatless Meatballs. (Since I haven't tried any other meatless meatballs, I can't say whether or not they really are "World's Best," but they are pretty tasty.) Oh, the nostalgia! Using prepared "meat"balls makes it a quick and easy meal, too.

Waikiki Meatballs

MEATBALL INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 2/3 cup crushed saltine cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup minced onion
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger*
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

SAUCE INGREDIENTS
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks - drained, with juice reserved
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

DIRECTIONS
• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, onion, egg, milk, ginger and salt. Shape mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into meatballs.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place meatballs in skillet and cook until evenly brown, and meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
• In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, brown sugar, reserved pineapple juice, vinegar and soy sauce. Mix until smooth, then pour into the skillet with meatballs. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green pepper and pineapple chunks. Heat through.

*Throw the ginger into the sauce, if you go the prepared meatball route.