Savory Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Delight Balls
Indulge in these Savory Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Delight Balls, crafted to mimic the texture and flavor of traditional meatballs. Bursting with the goodness of protein-rich pecan meal and oozing with cheesy goodness from grated Colby or cheddar, these meatballs are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or kids’ parties. Paired with a tangy sweet and sour sauce, they provide a delightful balance of flavors that even the most dedicated carnivores can't resist! Enjoy them as an appetizer or serve them over rice or pasta for a complete meal that’s healthy, fun, and satisfying.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
4 (beaten)
Colby cheese or Cheddar cheese
2 cups (grated)
Pecan meal
3/4 cup (or ground pecans)
Onion flakes or small onions
2 tablespoons or 2 small (chopped)
Cracker crumbs
1 cup (n/a)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (n/a)
George Washington broth
2 packages (golden or dark)
Ketchup
1 cup (n/a)
Water
1 cup (n/a)
Brown sugar
1 cup (firmly packed)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and then gradually add the grated cheese, mixing until fully combined.
2
Add the pecan meal, onion flakes (or chopped onions), cracker crumbs, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended into a cohesive mixture.
3
Grease your hands and form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.
4
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs until they are golden brown on all sides, or alternatively, bake them on a greased baking sheet at 350°F until cooked through.
5
Once browned, place the meatballs in a large pan or skillet, and pour in 2 cups of water along with 2 packages of George Washington broth over them.
6
Allow the meatballs to simmer on medium-low heat until the water reduces significantly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
While the meatballs are simmering, prepare the sweet and sour sauce by mixing together ketchup and firmly packed brown sugar in a separate bowl.
8
Transfer the cooked meatballs to a baking dish or a crockpot, and pour the sweet and sour sauce over them, ensuring they are well coated.
9
If baking, cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes. For the crockpot, set to high and let them warm through until heated thoroughly, about 2-3 hours.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Delight Balls?
They are a vegetarian alternative to traditional meatballs, made with pecan meal, cheese, and cracker crumbs, served in a tangy sweet and sour sauce.
Is this recipe strictly vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses eggs, cheese, and pecans instead of meat.
What is pecan meal, and can I substitute it?
Pecan meal is finely ground pecans. You can use a food processor to grind whole pecans into a meal if you cannot find it pre-ground.
What type of cheese is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using either grated Colby cheese or Cheddar cheese.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 4 large eggs, which should be beaten before mixing with other ingredients.
Can I use fresh onions instead of onion flakes?
Yes, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of onion flakes with 2 small, finely chopped onions.
What are the cracker crumbs used for?
Cracker crumbs act as a binder to help hold the pecan and cheese mixture together into ball shapes.
How large should the vegetarian balls be?
The mixture should be formed into small balls, approximately the size of a golf ball.
Should I fry or bake the meatballs?
You have both options: you can fry them in a skillet with vegetable oil until golden brown, or bake them on a greased sheet at 350°F.
What is George Washington broth?
George Washington broth is a brand of powdered seasoning/broth. This recipe suggests using 2 packages of either the golden or dark variety.
How do I prevent the balls from sticking to my hands during shaping?
Greasing your hands with a little oil before forming the balls will prevent the mixture from sticking.
What is the simmering process for these meatballs?
After browning, place the meatballs in a skillet with 2 cups of water and the broth seasoning, then simmer until the water reduces significantly.
How is the sweet and sour sauce made?
The sauce is a simple mixture of 1 cup of ketchup and 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar.
Can I cook this dish in a crockpot?
Yes, after browning and simmering, you can transfer the balls to a crockpot, add the sauce, and heat on high for 2-3 hours.
What oven temperature is used for the final baking step?
If you choose to bake them with the sauce, use a preheated oven at 350°F.
How long do they bake in the oven with the sauce?
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is tagged as kid-friendly due to its cheesy flavor and sweet and sour profile.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Absolutely, these make excellent appetizers for parties or social gatherings.
What side dishes pair well with these vegetarian balls?
They are delicious when served over rice or pasta to make a complete meal.
Is there a specific way to mix the eggs and cheese?
Beat the eggs first, then gradually add the grated cheese until they are fully combined before adding dry ingredients.
Does this recipe contain much salt?
The recipe calls for only 1/8 teaspoon of salt, though the broth packets and cheese also contribute sodium.
What is the texture of these 'meatballs'?
The combination of pecan meal and cheese creates a satisfying texture that mimics traditional meat-based meatballs.
Can I use different types of crackers for the crumbs?
Yes, any standard savory cracker will work well for making the crumbs.
How do I know when the simmering step is done?
The simmering is complete when the water has reduced significantly and the flavors have infused into the balls.
Why do I need to stir them during simmering?
Stirring occasionally prevents the balls from sticking to the bottom of the pan as the liquid reduces.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the ketchup and brown sugar in advance and store it until you are ready to coat the meatballs.
Is this a good recipe for a crowd?
Yes, it is specifically described as a crowd-pleaser and perfect for parties.
What makes the sauce 'sweet and sour'?
The combination of the acidity in the ketchup and the sweetness of the brown sugar creates the classic sweet and sour profile.
Can I substitute the brown sugar?
While brown sugar provides a specific molasses-like flavor, you could try other sweeteners, though the flavor profile may change.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
This recipe requires 10 main ingredients: eggs, cheese, pecan meal, onions, cracker crumbs, salt, broth, ketchup, water, and brown sugar.