Appetizers Main Dishes

Sweet And Sour Meatballs, Mai Tai, and The Vanishing Half

April 24, 2025
editor
Paired with "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett and a classic Mai Tai cocktail, Sweet and Sour Meatballs offer a flavorful, thought-provoking, and complete experience. The intriguing narrative about identity contrasts and unites with the dish's balance of sweet and sour flavors, while the Mai Tai's tropical notes echo the dish's pineapple elements, enhancing the meal's enjoyment with refreshing flair. This harmonious trio makes a perfect setting for a delightful evening of tasting and thoughtful discussion.
Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple or fresh)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

Cook the Meatballs:

  • In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You may need to do this in batches. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, add the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and chopped bell peppers. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the peppers to soften slightly.

Thicken the Sauce:

  • Stir in the cornstarch mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Combine Meatballs with Sauce:

  • Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, tossing them gently to coat evenly with the sweet and sour sauce.
  • Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are heated through.

Serve:

  • Serve the Sweet and Sour Meatballs over cooked rice or noodles, or enjoy them on their own as a delicious appetizer.

The Vanishing Half

The Vanishing Half

A poignant exploration of family, identity, and race, "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett delves into the lives of two twin sisters whose paths diverge when one decides to pass as white. This gripping novel spans generations and examines how the past can shape one's future.
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. Inseparable as children, they ultimately choose to live in two different worlds, one black and one white. An exploration of the American history of passing.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the theme of identity manifest in each of the main characters?
  • In what ways does the setting impact the events that unfold in the novel?
  • Discuss the complexity of the twin sisters’ relationship throughout the book.
  • How does Brit Bennett address the notion of 'passing' in the novel?
  • What role does memory play in the story?
  • Explore the generational differences depicted in the novel.
  • How do the character’s decisions affect their futures and relationships?
  • Analyze the use of contrasting communities and their influence on the characters.
  • What insights does the book provide on themes of race and identity?
  • Discuss how secrets and lies influence the trajectory of the characters’ lives.
Authors: Brit Bennett
ISBN: 0525536299
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Published Date: 2021-01-12

Mai Tai

Mai Tai
A classic tropical cocktail, the Mai Tai boasts a vibrant mix of rum, zesty lime, and sweet almond flavors that evoke the breezy bliss of an island paradise. With its refreshing profile and vibrant presentation, this drink is the perfect complement to a meal enhanced by sweet and sour elements like the famous meatballs.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces light rum
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce orange curaçao
  • 1/4 ounce orgeat syrup (almond syrup)
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce dark rum (floated on top)
  • Lime wheel and mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a shaker with ice and combine light rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup.
  • Shake vigorously and strain into an ice-filled glass.
  • Float the dark rum on top by gently pouring it over the back of a spoon.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.