Apricot-Spice Meatball Hors d’ Oeuvres

The humble meatball is one of the most versatile foods. They seem to exist in just about every culture and can be used in any number of ways, not only with pasta and rice but as a tasty little hors d’ oeuvres. 

I find apricots to be a good compliment to meatball hors d’ oeuvres. Using  Mediterranean (also known as Turkish) apricots is a good choice as their flesh is thicker and plumper as well as having great flavor.

Many people prefer to fry meatballs but it seems to me that usually ends up with a charred outside and they are still raw inside. Baking them in the oven will result in a much more even cooking. Personal choice I guess.

This recipe for  APRICOT-SPICE MEATBALLS  is one I’ve used many times over the years.    They work well at Christmas events when hot                      hors d’ oeuvres are in demand. Make the meatballs up, bake and freeze ahead of time — thaw when needed!  At serving time, make the spicy apricot nectar sauce and your ready to go.

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Apricot-Spice Meatball Hors d' Oeuvres

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Course

Finger Food Buffet

Cuisine

American, Middle Eastern

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

Apricot Meatballs

• 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 170 grams lean, ground pork
• 170 grams turkey breast, raw, ground

Spiced Apricot Sauce

• 1 cup apricot nectar
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground
• 1 cup (140 grams OR 15 pieces) dried apricots, snipped

Course Finger Food Buffet Cuisine American, Middle Eastern Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Apricot Meatballs 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs 2 Tbsp milk 1 egg white 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup dried apricots, finely chopped 1/2 tsp salt 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 tsp chili powder 170 grams lean, ground pork 170 grams turkey breast, raw, ground Spiced Apricot Sauce 1 cup apricot nectar 2 tsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground 1 cup (140 grams OR 15 pieces) dried apricots, snipped

Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan with foil; lightly grease. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine bread crumbs & milk. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in egg white, onion, apricots, salt, garlic & chili powder. Add ground pork & turkey; mix well. Shape meat mixture into 30 meatballs. Place on prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked. Remove meatballs from pan to paper towels.

Spiced Apricot Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Cook & stir over medium heat until thickened & bubbly.
2. Place meatballs in a slow cooker. Add sauce, stirring gently to coat. Turn heat setting to low. This should keep meatballs warm, while being used by guests for about 2 hours.

Recipe Notes

• If you find your sauce gets to thick or you prefer it thinner to begin with, just use a little more apricot nectar.
• This meat combination makes a real flavorful meatball.