Asian-Inspired Pork and Rice Meatballs with Apricot Glaze

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

A little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, these Asian-inspired glazed pork meatballs make a great appetizer that is good warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds ground pork
1 cup cooked rice
1/3 cup minced red onion
1/3 cup diced dried apricots
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 1/2 cups apricot preserves
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
1 medium lime, juiced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 12x18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2 Combine pork, cooked rice, onion, apricots, vinegar, sesame oil, coriander, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes in a medium mixing bowl; mix until well blended. Form into 24 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
3 Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
4 Remove meatballs from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
5 Meanwhile, melt apricot preserves in a small saucepan over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in hoisin sauce, ginger, chili-garlic sauce, and lime juice.
6 Place meatballs in a serving dish and pour glaze over top. Garnish with cilantro.