Baked Vietnamese Pork and Mint Meatballs

Ingredients

  • Baked Vietnamese Pork and Mint Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 large shallot, finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely diced
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped mint
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons agave nectar or sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • Vietnamese Meatballs Dipping Sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons agave nectar or sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1/2 of a lime, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons water

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease a sheet pan with oil and set aside.
In a bowl, mix all ingredients together thoroughly with your hands. Roll into about 30-40 meatballs and place on pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and not pink in the middle. While cooking, prepare the dipping sauce. In a mortar and pestle, crush garlic and red pepper into a paste. Place paste in a small serving bowl and stir together with agave nectar, fish sauce, lime juice and water. Serve meatballs with the Vietnamese dipping sauce, steamed rice and vegetables.