Oct 31, 2021

Saucy Asian Meatballs

These saucy Asian meatballs are the perfect blend of flavors and are drenched in the most insanely delicious sauce! Perfect for dinner or even an appetizer, they will certainly get a “WOW!” at your next get-together!

If delicious meatballs are your thing then you’ve come to the right place! I love meatballs so of course, I think you should try these Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meatballs, these Swedish Meatballs and Noodles, and also these amazing Buffalo Chicken Meatballs!

Asian meatballs in a bowl.

Saucy Asian Meatballs

Meatballs are SOO GOOD and these saucy Asian meatballs are the cream of the crop! Not only do they have the most delicious and savory taste but their texture is absolute perfection. They are so juicy and soft when you bite into them! And, I love that they are garnished with some sesame seeds and green onions. This not only makes them look especially fancy but it is the perfect topper to add a little bit of extra taste and texture.

I am so confident that you will love these meatballs that I am going to tell you now to double the recipe. Do it from the start and then you will be thanking yourself later! These meatballs are going to fly off of your table so fast! Everyone loves these and for good reason. Make it a feast by adding in some rice, this homemade lemonade, and eating these delicious cookies for dessert!

What’s In Saucy Asian Meatballs?

These saucy Asian meatballs look fancy but they are SO simple! You just need a few staple ingredients and you are on your way to biting into this tender dish! See the recipe card below for a list of exact measurements.

  • Meat: You can use ground pork or ground beef for this recipe!
  • Sesame oil: I love the nutty and savory flavor that this brings to this recipe. My favorite one to use is this sesame oil.
  • Panko: If you don’t have any panko crumbs then you can use regular breadcrumbs instead.
  • Ground ginger: Make sure that you use ground ginger in the recipe to get the most flavor out of the spice.
  • Eggs: These help everything to bind together so that you can form the ingredients into a ball. It also adds moisture and keeps the meatballs tender.
  • Minced garlic: Anytime garlic is added to a recipe, I can’t get enough of it! This is the perfect amount and adds some great flavor to these meatballs.
  • Green onions: I like to thinly slice up the green onions so that I can be sure to get the taste in each bite!
  • Optional garnish: You can use some toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Asian Sauce Ingredients

  • Hoisin sauce: This flavor brings in some saltiness and tanginess to the sauce! My favorite one to use is this hoisin sauce.
  • Rice vinegar: Unlike other vinegars, rice vinegar is a mellow taste that is sweet. I like to buy this rice vinegar.
  • Garlic cloves: If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves to mince then you can use the minced garlic that you have in your fridge! ½ tsp equals about 1 clove of garlic.
  • Soy sauce: This soy sauce also brings in a salty flavor!
  • Sesame oil: I really like how this sesame oil mixes into the sauce and adds in an earthy and nutty flavor.
  • Ground ginger: Peppery in flavor, ground ginger really brings this sauce to life!

Let’s Make Some Meatballs!

These saucy Asian meatballs only take about 20 minutes from start to finish! So go ahead and get cooking, you are going to love the result!

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Mix and form into balls: In a large bowl, mix together meatball ingredients until well-combined. Shape into balls (I made mine about 1.5 inches, which yielded about 35 meatballs, but 1 inch is probably standard), and then place them on a greased baking sheet or in a 9×13 baking dish. 
  3. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside.
  4. Make sauce: While the meatballs are baking, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until blended. Once meatballs have finished cooking, then you can either dip each meatball individually (using a toothpick) in the sauce mixture. Or you can pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir them until covered.
  5. Serve: Serve warm, and sprinkle with additional garnish if desired.
4 pictures showing steps on how to make and form meatballs.

Tips for Making the BEST Meatballs

Saucy Asian meatballs are super simple and easy to make! I have come up with a few tips that will make these meatballs foolproof!

  • Don’t overcook: If you overcook meatballs then they become tough and chewy. Make sure to keep and eye on them and take them out just after they are no longer pink. Then they will be juicy and fall apart in your mouth tender!
  • Be gentle: When you are forming your meatballs, don’t pack the mixture too tight. You just want to gently and quickly form the meatballs. Just forming them enough so that they hold their shape. If you pack them too tightly then they will be tough and rubbery.
  • Cold ingredients: When you are mixing everything together, you want to mix them as cold ingredients. So make sure to take everything out of the fridge just before you start cooking. This helps the fat from melting before you cook the meatballs!
A toothpick being poked into a meatball.

How to Store Leftovers

These saucy Asian meatballs make fantastic leftovers! Or, you can cook them up, freeze them and eat them later!

  • Refrigerator: Once the meatballs have cooled then place them in an airtight container. Put it in your fridge and they will last 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Let your meatballs and sauce cool down and place them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag that is labeled with the date. These will last about 3-4 months in the freezer!
  • Reheat: To reheat your leftovers, place them in the microwave and heat them up for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. If you have frozen meatballs, let them thaw overnight in the fridge and heat them up in the same way. Enjoy!
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Saucy Asian Meatballs

are the perfect blend of flavors and are drenched in the most insanely delicious sauce! Perfect for dinner or even an appetizer, they will certainly get a "WOW!" at your next get together! 
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian American
Keyword asian meatballs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 35 Meatballs
Calories 99kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground pork or ground beef
  • 2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 cup Panko or breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ Cup thinly-sliced green onions
  • Optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions

Asian Sauce Ingredients:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400.
  • In a large bowl, mix together meatball ingredients until well-combined. Shape into balls (I made mine about 1.5 inches, which yielded about 35 meatballs, but 1 inch is probably standard), and place on a greased baking sheet or in a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside.
  • While the meatballs are baking, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until blended. Once meatballs have finished cooking, you can either dip each meatball individually (using a toothpick) in the sauce mixture. Or you can pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir them until covered.
  • Serve warm, and sprinkle with additional garnish if desired.

Notes

Updated on October 31, 2021
Originally Posted on October 23, 2012

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Oct 30, 2021

Soft and Delicious Alfajores Cookies

These alfajores cookies are simply divine! Their texture is perfectly soft and once you add in that creamy dulce de leche filling, well… Let’s just say these cookies aren’t going to last long!

If you love cookies, then these alfajores are a definite MUST TRY. Once you are done baking these, try out these delicious Sprinkle Cookies, Almond Cookies, and these amazing Homemade Milano Cookies! You will die over how good they all are!

A stack of alfajores cookies.

What Are Alfajores Cookies?

This is such a good question! Alfajores cookies are shortbread-like cookies that are filled with a delicious caramel kind of filling called dulce de leche. They come from the middle east and were brought to South America (Argentina to be exact!). There are a lot of different variations of these cookies where the filling can also be made from chocolate, fruits, or even nuts! But the dulce de leche is the most common flavor!

These cookies take a bit of time to make because you have to make sure that you are taking the time to chill your dough. This is key to getting the taste and texture just right! But if you can hold out for them, they are totally worth the wait! The soft cookie combined with that delightful and creamy filling is a taste like no other! Plus, these not only taste amazing but they look like they came straight from a bakery! Try them out and double the batch while you are at it… You will be so glad that you made some extra!

Ingredients You Need to make Alfajores Cookies

Though these cookies look complex, they aren’t! Once you pick up some dulce de leche from the store, you probably already have everything else that you need all ready to go in your kitchen! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

  • Flour: I used all purpose flour for this recipe!
  • Cornstarch: This will help your cookies have that soft and crubly like dessert texture.
  • Baking powder: This helps the dough to stretch so that when your cookies bake, they don’t crack!
  • Salt: Salt enhances all of the flavors in these cookies,
  • Powdered sugar: Using powdered sugar helps create a smooth texture because it dissolves and mixes easily.
  • Butter: Make sure that your butter is unsalted and softened to room temperature.
  • Lemon zest: This create the perfect contrast in flavor without being the star of the show.
  • Vanilla extract: You can use vanilla paste instead for a more rich flavor!
  • Eggs: You will need a whole egg plus an additional egg yolk for this recipe.
  • Dulce de leche: I just use store bought dulce de leche to make this recipe easier!

Let’s Bake Some Cookies!

Make sure that when you are making these alfajores cookies that you take the time to chill the dough! It’s key to making them turn out just right!

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and powdered sugar.
  2. Beat butter and mix with wet ingredients: In a large bowl add the butter and either beat with a paddle or use a hand mixer to combine them until light and fluffy. Add in the lemon zest, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk and mix until just combined.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Be sure to scrape down the bowl to make sure everything is completely mixed in.
  4. Make dough ball and chill: Form a large ball with all the dough and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Transfer to the fridge and chill for 30-40 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven and cut out cookies from dough: Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Let the dough sit at room temp for about 5 minutes or so and then roll to ¼ inch thick. Use a round or scalloped edged cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
  6. Chill: Bring together the scraps and reroll the dough to get as many cookie as you can. Chill the cookies in the fridge for about 10 minutes before baking.
  7. Bake and cool: Bake the pans of cookies for about 8 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. You don’t want the whole cookie to be golden, just the very edges. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
  8. Pipe in dulce de leche, chill and serve: Spoon the dulce de leche into a piping bag and pipe about a 1-2 teaspoons in the middle of one cookie. Sandwich a second cookie onto the first. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6 step by step pictures on how to make dough and cut out cookies.

Easy Variations

These alfajores cookies are so delicious as is but if you want to change them up then here are a couple of ideas on how you can do just that!

  • Change up the shape: Although these cookies are traditionally made out of a round cookie, you can easily change up the shape! Make them stars or bells or trees for other holidays! It makes them fun and festive!
  • Add a different filling: Because the cookie on these is a classic shortbread taste, it goes with just about anything! So you can easily switch up this filling with some chocolate or fruit filling. Really, the options are endless! These cookies are for you so mix and match to make them with all the flavors that you like!
  • Add coconut flakes: Another way that these are commonly made is by taking the cookie and rolling the edges in shredded coconut. This not only adds to their beauty but it tastes amazing!
Finished alfajores cookies on a cooling rack.

How to Store Leftovers

These alfajores cookies are so delicious, even the next day! I like to store them in the refrigerator so that they last longer. Place them in an air-tight container in your fridge and they will last up to 6 days! When you are ready to eat them, you can eat them cold or you can set them on your counter and bring them to room temperature.

A close up picture of a stack of alfajores cookies.
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Soft and Delicious Alfajores Cookies

These alfajores cookies are simply divine! Their texture is perfectly soft and once you add in that creamy dulce de leche filling, well… Let's just say these cookies aren't going to last long! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine Middle East
Keyword Alfajores Cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 18 Cookies
Calories 151kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Cornstarch
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 2/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • ¾ Cup Unsalted butter softened
  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon Vanilla extract or vanilla paste
  • 1 large Egg plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1 Cup Dulce de leche

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and powdered sugar.
  • In a large bowl add the butter and either beat with a paddle or use a hand mixer to combine them until light and fluffy. Add in the lemon zest, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk and mix until just combined.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Be sure to scrape down the bowl to make sure everything is completely mixed in.
  • Form a large ball with all the dough and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Transfer to the fridge and chill for 30-40 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Let the dough sit at room temp for about 5 minutes or so and then roll to ¼ inch thick. Use a round or scalloped-edged cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
  • Bring together the scraps and reroll the dough to get as many cookies as you can. Chill the cookies in the fridge for about 10 minutes before baking.
  • Bake the pans of cookies for about 8 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. You don’t want the whole cookie to be golden, just the very edges. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
  • Spoon the dulce de leche into a piping bag and pipe about 1-2 teaspoons in the middle of one cookie. Sandwich a second cookie onto the first. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Best Ever Creamy Clam Chowder

Creamy Clam Chowder with potatoes and vegetables is one of my favorite easy soup recipes! It’s thick and creamy and tastes as if it came straight from a restaurant! It’s SO GOOD!

Chock full of flavor, this clam chowder is hard to beat! And if you love this recipe then you’ve got to try this delicious Cheeseburger Soup, this amazing Broccoli Cheese, or this Sausage Tortellini Soup! You will love them all!

A bowl of clam chowder with a crostini in it.

Delicious Clam Chowder

Soup season has arrived and I am here for it! I love this time of year when new soup recipes are popping up everywhere! There is just nothing like dipping some yummy bread into warm soup. This clam chowder is unbelievably delicious and full of GOOD flavor! And clams, it’s chock full of them!! If you are as ready for soup season as I am then this clam chowder is a great place to start! It will kick off the season and keep you coming back for more!

This is such a simple soup but the flavors together are delicious. I love to add extra veggies too, like bell peppers, to give it flavor, color and crunch. In fact, try making this Crostini or this French Baguette to dip into it! It really takes it up a notch and is an easy way to add in the perfect side dish! Go ahead and give this a try. It’s a recipe that will for sure get a “WOW!” from all of your family and friends!

What’s In Clam Chowder?

This recipe has super simple ingredients, most of which you will already have in your kitchen! See the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements!

  • Bacon: The bacon really add the most amazing extra flavor to this recipe!
  • Onion: You need the onion for some added flavor.
  • Celery: Dice up your celery and put it in the chowder for an added crunch.
  • Garlic cloves: If you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves on hand then you can use the minced garlic in your fridge. ½ tsp equals about one clove of garlic!
  • Flour: I used all purpose flour in this recipe
  • Chopped clams: You can’t have clam chowder without some amazingly delicious clams!
  • Chicken broth: This is used instead of water so that the base of your chowder has some additional flavor.
  • Milk: You can use 1% or 2% for this recipe.
  • Half and half: This is what will start to make your base of your chowder nice and creamy.
  • Russet potatoes: Peel these up and dice them before adding them to the chowder.
  • Salt and pepper: Add as much or little of these seasonings as you would like, just until it tastes just right to you!

Let’s Make Some Chowder!

This clam chowder only takes about 15 minutes to make from start to finish! You are going to love how this tastes so let’s get cooking!

  1. Cook bacon: In a large pot over medium high heat add the bacon and cook until slightly crisp and no longer pink. Then, remove it to a plate with a slotted spoon.
  2. Add in the vegetables (except potatoes): Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook until tender and then add the flour and stir.
  3. Stir in liquids and potatoes: Add in the juice from the clams, chicken broth, milk and half and half and stir until there aren’t any clumps. Add in the potatoes.
  4. Boil, add in clams and bacon, serve: Bring the pot to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer until the potatoes are tender and the soup is thick. Then, stir in the clams and salt and pepper to taste. Once you are done then top with crumbled bacon and serve.
6 pictures showing step by step instructions on how to make chowder.

Make it Into a Meal!

This clam chowder is absolutely divine and you can’t let that go to waste! Go ahead and make it into an entire meal with sides and a delicious dessert. Invite everyone you know over and then make it a party! Everyone needs a taste of this amazing clam chowder!

  • Add a salad: Soup and salad just go together! They balance each other out with warm and cool tastes and are just perfect. Because they are so good togethers, try making this Wedge Salad to go with it!
  • Cook up some bread: You can’t fully appreciate chowder without dipping some bread into it! In fact, buy a loaf of fresh French bread from the grocery store! Or, go the extra mile and bake up this amazing Crostini or French Baguette to go with it!
  • Don’t forget the dessert!: Never underestimate the power of a delicious dessert to finish off your meal! You can go simple and delicious with these Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars or go a bit fancier and serve this gorgeous Black Forest Cake!
A ladle being dipped into chowder.

What are the different types of clam chowder?

You may hear clam chowder called Boston clam chowder, New England clam chowder, or Manhattan clam chowder. So what’s the difference? Boston and New England clam chowder are two names that describe the same type of clam chowder! New England (or Boston) clam chowder is a creamy or broth-based chowder made with potatoes, vegetables, and clams. This recipe fits that description. Manhattan chowder is a red, tomato-based chowder with clams and vegetables.

A close up of clam chowder in a ladle.

How to Store Leftovers

This clam chowder recipe makes great leftovers! In fact, it is even better the next day! Once it has cooled down then place it in an airtight container. Then, go ahead and put it in your fridge and it will last 3-4 days!

A bowl of clam chowder with a spoon and a crostini.
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Clam Chowder

Creamy Clam Chowder with potatoes and vegetables is one of my favorite easy soup recipes! It's thick and creamy and tastes as if it came straight from a restaurant! It's SOO GOOD!
Course Dinner, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword clam chowder
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 174kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon diced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 stalks celery diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 (6.5 ounce cans) chopped clams
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 4 medium russet potatoes peeled and diced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat add the bacon and cook until slightly crisp and no longer pink. Remove it to a plate with a slotted spoon.
  • Add the onion, celery, and garlic and cook until tender. Add the flour and stir.
  • Add in the juice from the clams, chicken broth, milk, and half and half, then stir until there aren't any clumps. Add in the potatoes.
  • Bring the pot to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer until the potatoes are tender and the soup is thick. Stir in the clams and salt and pepper to taste. Top with crumbled bacon and serve.

Notes

Updated on October 30, 2021
Originally Posted on October 22, 2018

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.4mg