HAWAIIAN MAGIC

This is a recipe I’ve had for years and years, every since a friend of mine lived in Hawaii and sent it to me.  That was way before I was married.  But I hadn’t made them in a long time until a couple years ago, when I was looking for something different to try for Steve.  I made them and in the next two days, Steve had finished off the crock pot!  Since then, we make them regularly, about once a month.  They’re great for a meal with ham or chicken or for just a snack or entertaining when you have company.  Hope you enjoy trying them.  Aloha!

WAIKIKI MEATBALLS

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

2/3 cup unseasoned bread 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

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

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.  Transfer to crock pot for serving and keeping warm.  Turn the pot on low, occasionally stirring gently. Serve with pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks.