UPDATE…..My recipe was chosen as the $500.00 Appetizer winner. I am so excited and I truly hope you will try this recipe soon.Â
I’m feeling Lucky!! 🙂 Lucky to be chosen as one of the food bloggers for Lucky Foods Blogger Recipe Challenge!! I’m feeling super excited about these Korean Cocktail Meatballs. After testing them multiple times with 100% thumbs up from all of my taste testers, I knew I had a great appetizer using Lucky Foods products.
When reading about this company, I was delighted to see that the headquarters is located less than an hour from me. Lucky Foods products are available in many different stores around me. Pictured below are the complimentary products that I received in the mail to create recipes with.
#eatluckyfoods #luckyfoodsrecipechallenge
I received 2 bottles of Kalbi Sauces, 2 bottles of Kimchi Mayo and 2 tubes of Gochujang Paste
The company has two categories to create recipes for, appetizer and entree, using the sample products they sent to each blogger. There will be a top winning recipe chosen for each of the two categories and an overall “Lucky” Grand Prize Winner will receive $1000.00.
One Grand Prize Winner: $1,000.00
One Entree Category Winner: $500 Cash Prize
One Appetizer Category Winner: $500 Cash Prize
SO WHY MAKE KOREAN COCKTAIL MEATBALLS FOR AN APPETIZER ENTRY?
I have grand memories of my mom making cocktail meatballs and little smokies for the many parties they hosted. Longing to dip into the pot before the guests arrived with hopes there would be leftovers. I clearly remember her recipes including jellies and cocktail sauce. When I received the Lucky Foods products I could not stop thinking that they would make a great recipe for some awesome tasting Korean meatballs.
CAN I USE OTHER PRESERVES OTHER THAN BLACKBERRY?
YES!! Grocery stores and small specialty markets carry different seedless preserves. Blackberry preserve offers a deep berry flavor. Seedless preserves such as Marionberry, Huckleberry and Boysenberry are delicious but maybe found in limited areas. A mixed berry seedless preserve would be nice choice too. A good quality preserve will combine with Lucky Foods high quality products.
I admire the Lucky Foods family values in regards to their products. This is their statement from their website…”We believe in wholesome crafted cuisine. At Lucky Foods, our recipes have been passed down generations, and great recipes, deserve great ingredients. That’s why we are committed to sourcing the best ingredients we can find and preparing them by hand. With each spring roll we hand-roll, and each batch of kimchi we make, we’re working to cultivate better food that is better for the planet. You will never find MSG, GMOs, added colors or preservatives in Lucky Foods. What you will find is wholesome produce and fresh, aromatic spices.”
Follow Lucky Foods for more recipes and ideas on social media platforms listed below. Use the store locator on their website for finding the products nearest you.
- Website:Â https://luckyfoods.com/
- Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/luckyfoods/
- Instagram:Â https//www.imstagram.com/eatluckyfoods/
Korean Cocktail Meatballs
Korean Cocktail Meatballs are full of flavor with a kiss of heat from Lucky Foods Kalbi Sauce and Gochujang. You might want to consider doubling the recipe if you are needing a dish for a potluck or large gathering.
Ingredients
- Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 tbs. finely grated fresh ginger (store prepared ginger paste can be substituted)
- 1 tbs. finely grated garlic (store prepared garlic paste can be substituted)
- 1 1/2 tbs. Lucky Foods Kalbi Sauce (Korean BBQ Marinade)
- 3 finely chopped scallions (if scallions are large, use two)
- 1 tbs. Lucky Foods Gochujang (Korean Chili Pepper Paste)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbs. cooking oil, neutral in flavor such as vegetable or avocado oil
- Korean Cocktail Sauce
- 6 oz. seedless blackberry preserves
- 1/2 cup Lucky Foods Kalbi Sauce (Korean BBQ Marinade)
- 1 tbs. Luck Foods Gochujang (Korean Chili Pepper Paste)
- Garnish
- 1 tsp. toasted white sesame seeds
- 20-22 wooden cocktail toothpicks
- 1 scallion, green top only, cut thinly on a bias
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all of the meatball ingredients except the cooking oil and mix together until well blended. Using a #40 scoop, measure out 1 oz. meatballs. Roll each into a nice round ball and arrange on parchment paper.
- In a large heavy skillet such as cast iron, add in the cooking oil and heat over medium. Transfer the meatballs to the hot skillet. Allow the meatballs to brown on all sides, carefully turning as they cook. Once the meatballs are browned (most likely will not be cooked all the way through) remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Wipe out any grease from the skillet and return to the stove top over medium heat. Add in the Korean Cocktail Sauce and whisk together and heat to melt all of the ingredients into a smooth sauce. Lightly simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to begin to reduce the sauce.
- Add the meatballs back into the skillet with the sauce and simmer to finish cooking the meatball. Toss the meatballs for 8-10 minutes in the sauce, coating all sides. The sauce will begin to stick to the meatballs and create a beautiful glaze. Test meatballs for temperature doneness at 165 degrees.
- Arrange the meatballs on a serving platter or a warming server if the meatballs will be among other appetizers on a buffet. Place a toothpick into each meatball, garnish with sesame seeds and the green scallion top cut on a bias.