​​Meatball Pad Thai With Peanut Sauce

SERVINGS: 4 | PREP TIME: 15 minutes | COOK TIME: 15 minutes
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Tender and juicy meatballs can add a hearty twist to the traditional Pad Thai. I make lean meatballs with lemongrass that absorb the vibrant flavors of the Peanut Sauce. This stir fry with rice noodles, shallots, bean sprouts, and green peppers is topped with lemongrass meatballs and garnished with crushed peanuts. Try this Meatball Pad Thai with Peanut Sauce for an easy Friday night dinner that is fun to make at home, instead of ordering in.
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Author: Mimi Council 

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INGREDIENTS

​VEGGIES

• 2 shallots1 green pepper
• 8 ounces bean sprouts
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 

NOODLES

• 8 ounces rice noodles 

​SAUCE

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons coconut aminos (soy sauce or tamari) 
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons lemongrass turmeric paste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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MEATBALLS

• 1 pound Halal-N-Tayyib Grass-Fed & Finished Ground Beef 
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1 teaspoon lemongrass turmeric paste 

GARNISH

• roasted & salted peanuts, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1.To make the veggies: Slice the green peppers and roughly chop the shallots. Add into a large skillet with the coconut oil. Put over medium/high heat and sauté until cooked, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. To make the noodles: Cook the noodles per the instructions on the package.

3. To make the sauce: In a small pot, add the peanut butter, water, coconut aminos, fish sauce, and lemongrass paste. Put over low/medium heat and stir to combine completely. Continue to heat, while stirring until everything is completely combined. Remove from the heat and add in the red pepper flakes. Set aside.

4. To make the meatballs: In a medium bowl, add the ground beef, sea salt, black pepper, and lemongrass paste. Stir to combine completely.

5. Using your hands form the meat into 12 meatballs.

6. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the meatballs. Cook, while turning the meatballs to ensure even browning on each side. Once they are all browned on all sides, cover with a lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until completely cooked through.

7. Add the noodles and sauce to the skillet with the veggies and warm over low heat to ensure the sauce is coated the noodles and veggies completely.

8. Serve with meatballs on top and a garnish of chopped peanuts (optional).