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Spicy Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

Here's how you make Spicy Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
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  • Servings: 4
  • Prep: 25m
  • Cook: 25-30m
    • The following recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • FOR THE MEATBALLS
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 red jalapeno pepper, finely minced (or Fresno chile, seeded and finely minced, about 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons scallions, finely minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemongrass, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon finely minced lemon zest)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (toasted)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (peanut, macadamia nut, or vegetable oil )
  • FOR THE SPICY PEANUT SAUCE
  • 3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter (smooth)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar (unseasoned)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup curry paste (Thai red)
  • 1 tablespoon lemongrass, minced (about 3 stalks)
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves (or 1 teaspoon chopped lime zest)
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro, minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil
  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water, optional)
  • Cooked rice
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: TO PREPARE MEATBALLS: Thoroughly combine the beef, ginger, chile, scallion, lemongrass, cilantro, salt, pepper, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl. Divide the mixture evenly into 16 (or 20 smaller) balls. Heat the peanut oil in a sauté pan and cook the meatballs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally until browned on all sides, for 10 minutes (for medium), or to desired doneness.

  • Step 2: TO PREPARE SAUCE: Place the coconut milk, peanut butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, onion, shallots, garlic, curry paste, lemongrass, lime leaves, cilantro, and basil in a large saucepan. While stirring, bring just to a simmer over medium-low heat; do not boil. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat, adjust the seasonings, and strain before serving. If you wish a thicker consistency, combine 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, stir to dissolve, and mix into the sauce until thoroughly combined; continue to cook until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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