Mini Meatballs with Raspberry-Balsamic Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Mini Meatballs with Raspberry-Balsamic Barbecue Sauce

• Level: Easy
• Yield: Serves 4 to 6
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Prep: 40 minutes
• Inactive: 10 minutes
• Cook: 25 minutes

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 small onion, finely diced
• 8 ounces ground dark turkey meat
• 8 ounces spicy Italian turkey sausage, casing removed
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Sauce:

• 2 cups frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons packed golden brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Zest of 1 small lemon
• 2 to 3 large mangoes, peeled, pitted, and cut into thirty-six 3/4-inch cubes
• Thirty-six 1-inch pieces of torn radicchio leaves

Special Equipment:

Thirty-six bamboo skewers, each 4 to 5 inches long

Instructions

1. Whip up irresistible meatballs by combining breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and onion in a large bowl. Stir until blended, then gently fold in ground turkey and spicy Italian sausage with your hands. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions to shape about 36 tender 1- to 1 1/4-inch ballsyour guests won't resist these flavor bombs!
2. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning for even golden crispness until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on paper towels for that perfect bite.
3. Craft a vibrant sauce: Puree raspberries, ketchup, raspberry jam, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a food processor until silky smooth. Simmer in a saucepan over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes to thicken, then cool 10 minutes and serve in a bowlits sweet-tangy allure will elevate every skewer!
4. Assemble fun skewers: Thread one sizzling meatball, a juicy mango cube, and a crisp radicchio piece onto each bamboo skewer. Fan them out on a platter with sauce for dippingwatch your crowd devour this showstopper and beg for seconds!