Life has been wonderfully busy since we welcomed Pickles, our adorable Goldendoodle, into our family. To say we love him might not even begin to capture how much he means to us because he’s become such a big part of our lives. Now that he's hit the six-month mark, we've started to expand his diet a bit beyond his usual kibble.
In the mornings, Pickles enjoys a hearty breakfast of oats cooked in water, mixed with his kibble. We still want him to maintain his habit of eating kibble for those days when we're traveling or too swamped to cook. For his afternoon snack, he gets a mix of apple and banana, with a generous dollop of peanut butter and some yogurt—his absolute favorite. Finally, for dinner, I prepare a delicious dish of perfectly mashed rice and chicken, combined with a medley of vegetables like green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, or squash. He devours it with so much enthusiasm that we joke he's a true foodie, always on the hunt for his next meal.
Pickles also loves going on long walks, exploring the world with endless curiosity, and playing with our daughter, who adores him just as much. Seeing them together brings so much joy to our home. With his boundless energy and love for food, we often find ourselves laughing at how he’s always ready for more, even after a full meal.
Now I am not going to keep discussing what all Pickles like to eat, as promised I am going to share a wonderful weeknight dinner recipe today. Today’s recipe is: Firecracker Meatballs with Roasted Green Beans and Rice.
I got this recipe from one of my friends and it is so good that I decided to include it on my blog. I have even made the meatballs and rice in advance and then reheated them right before serving. The beans, however, I always roast them right before dinner to enjoy their crunchy texture. This is a perfect weeknight dinner.
These meatballs are truly game-changing thanks to the firecracker sauce. What exactly is “firecracker,” you ask? Well, it's creamy, spicy, sweet, and savory (yes, all those things!) sauce so good, it’ll make your taste buds explode! Once the meatballs are baked, they’re tossed in the magical condiment, then plated atop rice along with crispy roasted green beans (AKA more things to dip in sauce). Don’t be surprised when you find yourself swiping up every last drop.
The Secret to Firecracker Meatballs
The magic of this dish lies in the firecracker sauce—a harmonious blend of creamy mayonnaise and sour cream, spicy Sriracha, sweet honey and umami-rich soy sauce. This versatile sauce coats the meatballs, infusing them with an irresistible combination of flavors that is nothing short of explosive.
The Meatballs
The meatballs are crafted from ground beef mixed with panko breadcrumbs, finely chopped scallion whites, ginger and soy sauce. This combination ensures a perfect texture and flavor balance. The meatballs are baked to perfection, creating a crispy exterior that locks in the juicy, tender interior.
The Accompaniments
Rice:
The meatballs are served over a bed of fluffy rice, which is cooked to tender perfection. The rice provides a comforting backdrop, soaking up the excess sauce and complementing the bold flavors of the firecracker sauce.
Roasted Green Beans:
To complement the meatballs and rice, we add crispy roasted green beans. Tossed in olive oil and seasoned simply with salt and pepper, the green beans are roasted until they achieve a delightful crisp-tender texture. These green beans not only add a vibrant green color to your plate but also provide a fresh, slightly sweet contrast to the bold flavors of the firecracker sauce.
The Experience
Imagine biting into a juicy meatball coated in a sauce that hits every taste bud with creamy, spicy, sweet, and savory notes. The rice provides a comforting backdrop, soaking up the excess sauce, while the roasted green beans offer a satisfying crunch with every bite. The combination of textures and flavors in this dish creates a dining experience that is both comforting and exciting.
Ingredients:
- Scallions - 2
- Ginger - 1 thumb
- Mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons
- Sour Cream - 1 ½ tablespoons
- Honey - 2 teaspoons
- Soy Sauce - 2 tablespoons
- Sriracha - 1 teaspoon
- Rice - ½ cup, uncooked
- Ground Beef - 10 oz
- Panko Breadcrumbs - ¼ cup
- Green Beans - 6 oz
- Salt and Black Pepper - to taste
- Cooking oil - 2 teaspoons
Directions:
- Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Wash and dry all produce.
- Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens; mince whites.
- Peel and mince ginger.
- In a large bowl, combine Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Honey, 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce (you’ll use the rest later), and Sriracha to taste. Set aside.
- Heat a small pot over medium heat.
- Add rice and 1 cup of water.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer.
- Cook until rice is tender (not al-dente!), 15-18 minutes.
- Drain in a big strainer, transfer to a bowl.
- Cover it until ready to serve.
- While rice cooks, in a second large bowl, combine Beef, Panko, Ginger, Scallion Whites, remaining Soy Sauce, Salt (to taste) and Black Pepper.
- Form into 10-12 1½-inch meatballs. (Tip: Splash cold water on your hands before shaping the meatballs. This will make the beef hold on to itself rather than to you).
- Place meatballs on one side of a lightly oiled baking sheet.
- Trim green beans if necessary.
- On the empty side, toss green beans with a drizzle of Oil, Salt and Pepper.
- Roast on top rack until meatballs are cooked through and green beans are browned and tender, 14-16 minutes.
- Fluff rice with a fork and divide between bowls or plates.
- Carefully add meatballs to bowl with sauce; toss to coat.
- Top rice with meatballs and drizzle with any remaining sauce.
- Serve green beans to the side.
- Garnish with scallion greens.
- Enjoy!
This dish is a flavor explosion that will leave you craving more. The combination of the juicy meatballs, the explosive firecracker sauce, the tender rice, and the crispy green beans creates a harmony of tastes and textures that are simply irresistible. Don't be surprised if this becomes a staple in your meal rotation!
Pair this delicious weeknight dinner with either of these drinks:
1. Sparkling Citrus Punch
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
½ cup lemon juice
2 cups sparkling water
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, combine orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
Add sparkling water just before serving.
Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
2. Ginger Lemonade
Ingredients:
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup honey
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
4 cups cold water
Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, honey, and grated ginger. Heat until honey is dissolved.
Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add cold water.
Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
3. Iced Green Tea with Mint
Ingredients:
4 green tea bags
4 cups boiling water
¼ cup honey
Fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Steep the green tea bags in boiling water for 3-5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and stir in honey until dissolved.
Let the tea cool, then refrigerate until cold.
Serve over ice with fresh mint leaves for garnish.
- Spice Up Your Weeknight with Red Hot Baked Chicken
- Pan Fried Chicken with a Cheesy Mushroom Loaded Gravy
- Grilled Salmon with Shrimp and Peppers
- Pan Fried Salmon
- Buttery Lemony Garlicky Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Quick Weeknight Dinner - Shrimp Stir Fry
- Jalapeno Shrimp
- Grilled Tandoori Shrimp
- Grilled Shrimp Plate with Fire Roasted Corn Salsa
- Hamburger Pasta with homemade Sauce
- Yummy Homemade Cheeseburgers
- Stir fried Sweet Chili Beef with Veggies
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