Japanese Style Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce(肉団子和風甘酢あん)

Do you know thick fried Tofu goes well with tomato? I can eat freshly cooked rice forever with this dish.

Ingredients

(3~4 servings)

• Thick fried Tofu: 1 tub
• Onion: 1/2
• Green bell pepper: 1(approximately 40 g)
• Mushroom (any kinds): proper amount
• Canned tomato: 1

[meatballs]

• Minced meat (pork or chicken): 300 g
• Salt: 2 pinches
• (A) Chopped onion: 1/4
• (A) Black pepper: proper amount
• (A) Grated ginger: 1 tbsp
• (A) Sake (or white wine): 1 tbsp

[Sweet and sour sauce]

• (B)  Vinegar: 2 tbsp
• (B)  Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
• (B)  Sugar: 1 tbsp
• (B)  Sake (or white wine): 1 tbsp
• Starch: 1.5 tbsp
• Water: 2 tbsp

Instructions

1. Put minced meat in a large bowl, sprinkle salt and knead them until they become sticky.
2. Add ingredients (A) and mix them. Shape the mixture into bite-size meatballs.
3. Place the meatballs in a frying pan and cover with a lid. Cook them over medium heat.
4. Cut a green bell pepper and mushrooms into bite-size chunks. Cut an onion into wedges.
5. While cutting vegetables, roll the meatballs.
6. When the meatballs become golden brown, add all vegetables and canned tomatoes. Cover with the lid again.
7. Add condiments (B) in a small bowl and mix them.
8. When the vegetables are cooked, add the mixture (B) and mix them.
9. When small bubbles pop up, turn the heat off. Dissolve starch in water, add to the pan and mix them.
10. Heat the pan over medium-low heat until the sauce becomes thick.
11. Now your Japanese Meatballs are ready. いただきます(Itadakimasu)!