Japanese Glazed Meatballs

Beef Up Your Bowl

A real show-stopper that's quick and easy to cook up, whatever the occasion.

Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

 

Ingredients

600g lean beef mince (makes 24 meatballs)
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp finely grated ginger
1/4 cup panko crumbs
270g soba noodles

Glaze:
1/4 cup sweet soy
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1 tsp sesame oil

Pickled vegetables:
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
4 sprigs rosemary
4 pink radish, washed and sliced

1 Lebanese cucumber, roughly chopped on the diagonal
1 bok choy, quartered lengthways
1 long red chilli, slit in half lengthways but kept whole at the stem  

 

Method
Place beef mince, soy, garlic, ginger and panko crumbs in a large bowl and mix until combined. Roll into 24 meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 10 minutes, drain and closely thread 3 meatballs onto each skewer.
Place chopped vegetables in a large heatproof bowl. Place rice vinegar, a pinch of salt flakes and 2 sprigs of rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn off heat and pour vinegar over vegetables, turn to coat and cover with a lid. Leave to pickle for 5-10 minutes for crunchy pickles. Drain before serving.
Combine glaze ingredients in a bowl and use remaining 2 rosemary sprigs for brushing glaze onto meatballs after cooking.
Drizzle meatballs with a little oil or oil spray and then place on a preheated BBQ or fry pan on medium to high heat, cover and cook for 5 minutes then turn over and cook for another 5 minutes. Brush meatballs with glaze using the rosemary skewers while on the BBQ and brush again with extra glaze to serve.
Cook soba noodles according to packet directions, drain. Serve skewers with pickled vegetables and soba noodles.

Tips:
When turning meatballs on the BBQ, use a palette knife or metal spatula as they have a tendency to stick and the bamboo skewers will be hot.
Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen. Bake from frozen at 180°C fan forced for 15-20 minutes. Glaze in final 5 minutes.
Try with lamb or veal mince.


Thinking of trying something new this week?

 

Why not give a delicious Asian inspired beef bowl a go. Building a fresh and healthy bowl is easier than it looks, so try these five recipes for the perfect balance of protein, good carbs and fresh vegetables. With 70% of Aussies changing their diets between seasons, now is the perfect time to move away from those heavy winter dishes to a healthy alternative.

As a great source of lean protein, Australian Beef is the perfect option. These tasty recipes each feature quick cook cuts like beef mince, rump steak or beef strips, which all take less than 10 minutes to get melt-in-the mouth beef every time.

From a spicy Korean beef salad to Japanese glazed meatballs, these dishes not only taste amazing but are full of nutrients which help you feel energised and motivated. For additional recipe inspiration, visit www.australianbeef.com.au.