scallion meatballs with soy ginger glaze

scallion meatballs with soy ginger glaze

• 1.02.2018

Every now and then I'll make a meal that is a complete knockout. THIS IS THAT MEAL. I had a feeling it was going to be good when I smelled the meatball mix. Then when the meatballs came out of the oven and I dipped one in the sauce? Home run. I was sitting on the couch eating and pronounced myself a culinary genius to my dad. He didn't disagree.

I printed out this recipe from Smitten Kitchen probably a week ago. But it wasn't until the last day of my vacation that I finally got around to making it. Thankfully, I had already cleaned out the fridge, freezer, and the rest of my cabinets so I knew I only needed to pick up two ingredients to make this happen. I think I am ending this vacation with 8 bags of trash. It's embarrassing - and great.

The meal itself is pretty easy to make. It comes down to three components: balls, rice, and sauce. Each on their own is pretty easy to handle and could be done several days in advance. I wasn't timing myself but I think I did this all in one hour. The key is just doing all the steps in an efficient order... and having a rice cooker.

Here's how it goes:
Make meatballs:

1. Combine turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, and soy sauce in a bowl. 
2. The mixture will be very wet and loose. Add in panko flakes or bread crumbs until you get it to a slightly more stable shape. You need to be able to roll them into little balls. I think I added about 3/4 cup. 
3. Place the meatballs on a foil lined pan
4. Bake in a 375F for about 25 minutes. The time will vary based on how big you made your balls.

Make sauce: 

1. While your meatballs are baking, you can make your sauce.
2. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. 
3. Reduce heat to a medium-low and add soy sauce, ginger, and coriander. 
4. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 20 minutes.

Make rice:

1. Use a rice cooker. End of story.
2. Combine the rice with a shredded carrot.

Shopping List
Sauce
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium
1 Tbsp minced ginger (I used half and it tasted like plenty to me; adjust to your preference)
1 teaspoon ground coriander

Meatballs
1 pound ground turkey
6 scallions, finely chopped
Half bunch cilantro, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup panko or bread crumbs

Rice

1 carrot, freshly grated (or buy shredded at the store)

Rice