This post is brought to you by Nuffnang and Fountain Sauces
I am not sorry that this sweet and sour chicken dish of mine didn’t require deep frying.
Oh, do not fret my friends, I guarantee that it will still remain delicious! Believe me.
Unlike the sweet and sour chicken that we are accustomed to nowadays, you know the heavily battered deep fried chicken fritters version, I grew up with my grandmother’s version – pan fried meatballs with a simple homemade sweet and sour sauce. I love that it is healthier and much more manageable. After all, no one likes to feel like a grease ball after cooking. Right guys?
With all the stir fry recipes I have shared with you over the years, it’s time that I share my sweet and sour chicken meatballs recipe – inspired by my grandma’s dish. I wanted this recipe to be gluten free so that more people can try it at home. As this recipe requires soy sauce and tomato sauce, I was thrilled to discover that the Fountain Good Choice range of sauces is gluten free. Although I don’t have a gluten intolerance, I still make it a point to stock up on gluten free sauces in case I need to cook for guests who practice a gluten free diet. Aren’t I well prepared?
When it comes to buying sauces for cooking, I’ve always looked for salt reduced and a no sugar option if possible. This will give you the room to add more seasoning without overwhelming the dish. What I like about the Fountain Good Choice sauces range is that it has no added sugar, and it’s salt reduced as well. Best of all it does not contain artificial colours or flavours. The beauty of this range is that these sauces still taste just as good as the regular ones.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn & carrots)
- 1 cup water
- 500g mince chicken
- 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 spring onion (scallion), finely sliced
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- Cooking oil
- 1 spring onion (scallion), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Fountain Good Choice Tomato Sauce
- 2 tsps Fountain Good Choice Soy Sauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tsps brown sugar
- Toasted sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, add frozen vegetables and a cup of water. Microwave the frozen vegetables for 5 minutes on High. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a mixing bowl, add mixed vegetables, chicken mince, soy sauce, ground white pepper, spring onion and sesame oil. Knead the meat dough until pliable.
- Wet your hand and roll a tablespoon of the meat dough into a ball and repeat this step to the remaining meat dough.
- Heat up a non-stick stir fry pan over a medium flame with a teaspoon of oil. Brown the meatballs until all surfaces have turned golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add a teaspoon of cooking oil. Add sliced spring onion (the white part only; the green part is reserved for garnish later) and saute until aromatic over low heat.
- Add tomato sauce, soy sauce, water and brown sugar. Mix well.
- When the sauce starts to bubble, add the meatballs and allow them to cook in the sauce over low heat, covered. Check twice to make sure the sauce does not stick to the pan
- Cook the meatballs until the sauce has reduced and turned into thick glazed (took me about 3 minutes).
- Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Garnish with the reserved spring onion and sprinkle with toasted sesame if you wish. Serve with rice and sliced cucumber. Enjoy!
The Fountain Good Choice range is available in:
- Tomato Sauce in 500ml Squeeze Bottle *see note 1*
- BBQ Sauce in 500ml Squeeze Bottle *see note 1*
- Sweet Chilli Sauce in 250ml Glass Bottle
- Hot Chilli Sauce in 250ml Glass Bottle
- 50% Salt Reduced Soy in 250mL Glass Bottle
They are available in the Health Food Aisle of Woolworth stores or you can purchase via Woolworth’s online store.
*Note 1* The Fountain ‘No Added Sugar’ Good Choice Tomato and Barbecue sauces are sweetened using Natvia, a 100% natural sweetener so the whole family can enjoy the great Fountain taste without the added calories.
Such a great idea! Love sweet and sour chicken, but don’t love the deep-frying. Can’t wait to try this!
I don’t enjoy deep frying at home either. I hope you will like the recipe, Carol! Happy cooking x Emily