M is for More Meatballs

Aaah meatballs.  They are certainly a good thing but are often underrated.  Meatballs are so versatile, think pasta, noodles and even soup.  And most children, including Bear and Bee, are happy to eat them.  I like to make ours on the smaller side so there is more of them and the girls find them easier to eat that way.

This recipe for Chinese flavoured meatballs and vegetable noodles is a favourite in our family. The original inspiration for this dish came from this meatballs recipe on the taste.com.au site.  I have adapted it slightly to suit our family's tastes.  We used capsicum and broccolini as that is what we had available.  You could also try bok choy, green beans, mushrooms, thinly sliced carrot or Chinese cabbage.

Chinese meatballs with stir fry vegie noodles
Download the recipe card here.
Serves 4

Ingredients
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon low salt soy sauce
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
500g mince (beef, pork or chicken)
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 pkt thin egg style noodles, shelf ready
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium red capsicum, thinly sliced or diced
1 bunch broccolini (baby broccoli)

Directions 

1. Mix sauces, garlic and ginger together in a small bowl.

2. Mix together the mince, egg, breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of the sauce mixture in a large bowl.  You will find it easier to do this by hand.

3. Take rounded teaspoons of the mince mixture and shape into balls.

4. Prepare noodles according to the directions on the packet.

5. Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and cook meatballs for 6 to 8 minutes to until cooked through. Drain meatballs on a plate lined with paper towel.

6. Heat remaining oil in cleaned frypan or in a wok over high heat and stir fry capsicum and broccolini for 2 minutes. Add noddles and remaining sauce mixtures and stir fry for 2 minutes or until heated through.  You may need to add 2 tablespoons of water to keep the sauce liquid enough. Toss through the meatballs and serve.

What's your favourite way of serving meatballs for your family?