Spiced Apricot Meat Balls

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 ounces dried apricots, diced
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 slice bread, crusts removed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 ounces dried apricots, diced
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon teriyaki sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice

Recipe

• 1 soak 4 1/2 oz diced apricots in the brandy for 1 hour.
• 2 soak bread in 4 tablespoons of water, squeeze out water, set aside.
• 3 in a large bowl, place the ground beef, onion, bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and egg. using hands, knead mixture until thoroughly combined. cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• 4 remove meatball mixture from refrigerator. take a heaped teaspoon of mixture and roll into a ball with wet hands. flatten slightly and press thumb in center to form a deep depression.
• 5 place 1/4 tsp soaked apricots in center and remould into a ball, covering the apricot. place on a flat tray and continue to roll the remainder.
• 6 cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• 7 for the dipping sauce:.
• 8 place diced apricots and water in a small pan with any remaining brandy-soaked apricots. bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until very soft.
• 9 stir in sugar, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, and simmer 2 minutes.
• 10 puree in a blender or food processor.
• 11 stir in the fresh ginger juice and set aside.
• 12 heat oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan.
• 13 fry meatballs in 2-3 batches, rolling them around the pan to cook all over and keep their shape (about 4-5 minutes each batch).
• 14 drain on paper towels.
• 15 place on a heated serving platter, with dipping sauce in the center and toothpicks for serving.