Korean Meatballs With Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

For meatballs

• 2 cups ground beef
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted and crushed
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• all-purpose flour, for coating
• 2 eggs, beaten
• vegetable oil (for frying)

For sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1/2 in. ginger, grated
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted and crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (ideally, the red Korean variety)
• 1 pinch sugar

Directions

1. 1

   Mix together ingredients for the dipping sauce.

2. 2

   For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, soy sauce, scallions, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and pepper. Let sit for about a half hour.

3. 3

   Form the meat mixture into balls about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Toss in flour and dip in egg, letting any extra egg drip off.

4. 4

   Heat oil in a non-stick skillet, and fry the meatballs until browned and crisp all around (and cooked through -- let's not get anyone sick!).

5. 5

   Serve warm or old with the vinegar dipping sauce.