Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe It is wise for a cook to make friends in a local kitchen store, where there will be news about cooking classes and a good produce market, and where knives can be sharpened.

SERVES 7 OR 8. Serving size: 3 small meatballs with sauce over ½ cup cooked rice.

Ingredients:

¾ cup fine dried breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon instant minced onion

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

3 eggs

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound bulk pork sausage

1¼ cups tomato sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup beef stock

Sweet-and-Sour Sauce

¾ cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

¼ cup soy sauce

½ cup cornstarch

Method:

1. Combine the breadcrumbs, onion, salt, and pepper with 1½ cups water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Lightly beat the eggs in a separate small bowl. Add the eggs,ground beef, pork, and tomato sauce to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix well.

3. Shape into small balls (20 to 30).

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

5. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Brown the meatballs in the oil. Remove the meatballs to a roasting pan and pour out the fat in the skillet.

6. Combine 1½ cups water and the stock in the skillet. Stir and pour over the meatballs. pour over the meatballs.

7. Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes.

8. Meanwhile prepare the sweet-and-sour sauce. In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups water, the vinegar, brown sugar, and

soy sauce and bring to a boil.

9. Thicken with the cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup cold water and cook until the sauce is thick and clear.

10. Remove the meatballs from the oven and pour the sweet- andsour sauce over them. Return them to the oven for 10 minutes.