Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, Panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, 2 tbsp soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, 2 tbsp sliced green onions, and black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can make meatballs tough.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch size meatballs (approximately 30-36 meatballs) and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat sesame oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk well to combine, ensuring the brown sugar is dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the drained pineapple chunks. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until a smooth slurry forms.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering soup, whisking continuously. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens to your desired consistency.
- Gently add the cooked meatballs into the thickened sweet and sour soup. Stir gently to coat the meatballs and allow them to heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Ladle the tangy sweet and sour meatball soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot, perhaps with a side of steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. If you prefer a less 'soupy' consistency, you can reduce the amount of chicken broth to 3 cups. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken further upon cooling; simply add a splash of broth or water when reheating if needed.
