Hawaiian Meatballs (pinterest recipe remake)

 This sweet looking little meatball has caught me eye on Pinterest and yes I must make you I say.  I glance at the comments and several people make note that these meatballs taste great but just don't stay together so I'll figure something out for that.  Other than that, great reviews so here it goes.

I made just a few changes to the recipe. I drained the pineapple because I thought the liquid would surely make the meatballs fall apart.  I added an egg and some breadcrumbs in hopes of "binding" the balls together a bit  more to hold shape. I did not have green pepper so I used red pepper, honestly I think next time I will omit the pepper altogether so I'm not even listing it in the ingredients.  My husband and I both agreed it had no place in this dish.  Also, I am a huge fan of brown rice but I feel this dish would have gone better over white rice, so next time that is what I'll do, maybe with some cut up scallions or something. Also the original one calls for non stick cooking spray, I opted for a T olive oil because I just couldn't see the spray holding up.

If you want the original recipe it is found here: http://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Hawaiian-Meatballs-and-Rice-5413.html?utm_source=Pinterest

Stir together half of the pineapple and 3/4 C BBQ sauce and set aside.

Combine remaining pineapple, BBQ sauce, beef, 1/4 C rice, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

 Shape into bite size meatballs (about 24).

Place in large oiled skillet over medium high heat, spoon sauce over meatballs.

Bring to a boil. Gently stir and then cover.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer about 15 minutes

Some of mine held together but some did not.  Either way, they tasted better than they looked.  Good flavor just not a pretty dish.  Cook remaining rice according to package and serve over rice.

Ingredients:

1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple (drained)
1 C BBQ sauce
1 lb ground beef
2 /14 C instant brown rice
1/4 t salt
1/8 t black pepper
1 T olive oil

Recipe Instructions:

• Stir together half the pineapple and 3/4 C BBQ sauce in small bowl and set aside.
• Mix remaining BBQ sauce, pineapple, beef, 1/4 C rice, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Shape into small balls (about 24).
• Heat large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.  Add meatballs to pan.  Spoon sauce over meatballs.
• Bring to a boil, GENTLY stir.  cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer about 15-20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
• While meatballs are cooking, prepare rice according to package instructions.
• Serve meatballs over rice.