Orange Sesame Meatballs

Certified nutrition consultant Diane Sanfilippo has a new book out called "Practical Paleo." The recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, sugar-free and filled with flavor. She stops by Good Day to show off an example.

Orange Sesame Meatballs

1 tablespoon coconut aminos
2 to 3 dashes of fish sauce
1/4 cup minced green onions (scallions)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon grated or minced fresh ginger (about ½-inch piece)
1 teaspoon grated or minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground pork
1 pound ground chicken or turkey, preferably dark meat for the best flavor

Sauce:
3/4 cup coconut aminos
Juice of 1 orange (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon granulated onion
2 to 3 dashes of fish sauce
2 pinches ginger powder

Garnishes:
Sliced green onions
Red pepper flakes
Finely sliced orange zest (from orange, above)
Toasted black and white sesame seeds
Chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a cooling rack in the baking sheet.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut aminos, fish sauce, green onions, cilantro, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. Add the meat to the bowl and mix to thoroughly combine with the seasonings. Form the meat into thirty-six 3/4-ounce meatballs.

Bake for 30 minutes on the prepared baking sheet.

In a small saucepan, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat, then continue to simmer until the sauce reduces by half, 5 to 7 minutes. Tilt the pan frequently to prevent the sauce from burning.

Remove the meatballs from the oven and toss them in the sauce, while the meatballs are still warm from the oven.

Garnish with green onion, red pepper flakes, orange zest, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

NUTRITIONAL DATA (per serving)
Calories: 577
Total Fat: 34g
Total Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 40g

LINKS:
nutritiondata.self.com/facts/recipe/3813583/2
balancedbites.com