Mini Sweet ‘n’ Spicy, Smokey Meatballs

FOR THE MEATBALLS

• 1 pound Five Marys Farms ground beef
• 1 pound Five Marys Farms ground pork
• 1 egg
• 1 slice sandwich bread
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE SWEET 'N' SPICY SAUCE

• 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted chili sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Several dashes of hot sauce

FOR THE CORN STARCH SLURRY

• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 heaping teaspoons corn starch

1. Preheat the grill to 300 degrees

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

3. Mix the meatball ingredients thoroughly

4. Roll into 1/2-ounce balls and place on the sheet pan

5. Place the sheet pan in the smoker

6. Check every few minutes and rotate for even cooking.

7. To prepare the sweet ‘n’ spicy sauce, bring all ingredients (except corn starch slurry) to a simmer over medium heat

8. Whisk the cold water and corn starch to make the slurry

9. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce

10. Cook 3-4 minutes more and toss the meatballs in the hot sauce