General Tso's Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

General Tso's Meatballs (Low Carb & Gluten Free) 

from ibreatheimhhungry.com

Every time I post on this blog, I look at my dishes and think, man, those are some cheesy looking dishes.  Funny how, 20 years ago, they looked kinda cute when my mom and I bought a million of them from the grocery store (or whatever half price shop was selling them).

I think I've grown up enough to warrant buying real dishes.

Yep, I think I'll do that.

Am I hip enough to get those fancy white triangular dishes you get served food on at some restaurants nowadays???

I dunno … anything other than this fruity plate would be a vast improvement …

INGREDIENTS

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground turkey or chicken (I used ground turkey)
• 2 Tbl minced ginger (I used 2 tsp of ground ginger, because minced ginger means dealing with real ginger, an ugly food item -- and I am inexperienced with real ginger)
• 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 egg
• light flavored oil for frying (olive, grapeseed, etc.)(I used coconut oil)

For the Sauce

• 1/2 tsp sesame oil (I used peanut oil, because somebody in this family has a severe allergy to stuff like sesame oil …. I was this close to forgetting that fact, and actually buying and cooking with the stuff!)
• 3 Tbl rice wine vinegar
• 3 Tbl soy sauce (tamari based for GF, or coconut amines for Paleo)
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 Tbl sugar substitute (honey for Paleo)
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum (or arrowroot powder)

1/4 cup scallions, chopped

• 4-5 small dried chilies, seeded and chopped [this is where I failed miserably… I bought FRESH chilies, not dried.  When I got home, I realized this.  Fresh chilies are not to be messed with.  One should wear latex gloves or something when you cut them, and apparently you should run them under cold water or something while you cut them, or your eyes will burn and you will die…  So, learning this… I decided to use 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes instead.  The sauce was GREAT)

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the meatballs:

• Combine all of the meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Form into 16 balls and sauté/fry in oil over medium heat until cooked through and crispy.  Alternatively, you could bake them, but they won't get the crunchy exterior.

To make the sauce:

• Combine the sesame oil, vinegar, GF soy sauce, water, sugar substitute, and xanthan gum in a small saucepan and whisk until combined.  Add the scallions and chili pepper and bring to a boil.  Simmer for five minutes until thickened and remove from heat.

To serve:

• Add the cooked meatballs to the thickened sauce and stir to coat.  Garnish with more chopped scallions and chilis if desired…

Approximate nutrition info per serving:  322 calories, 25 g fat, 3.75 net carbs, 23 g protein

To lower the fat and calories, use extra lean ground turkey, and bake rather than fry them.

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The men in the family were really looking forward to this … and they were not disappointed!!!  The way that I made it, the meatballs were asian spicy, but not TOO spicy.  Dad would prefer more spice, but Will and I would not.

This would be a really good recipe to make to bring to a party.  We all know how much you party...