Mango Coconut Meatballs

This dish was intended for picky eaters, but it didn't quite hit the mark. However, it turned out to be a hit with the adults. Had I known my kids wouldn't enjoy it, I would have made it spicier from the start.

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I recently went to Costco and picked up some mangoes. I was excited to create something fun with them.

Here's what I asked ChatGPT:

can you help me come up with a few recipe ideas with mango, specifically suitable for picky eaters? I am looking for dinner dishes, savory, and for now please just list 15 different ideas (names only). If I find something that I like, I will ask you for the recipe.

I didn't exactly like all these ideas.

Not sure why, but I went on to ask it as if it needed my help:

Oh I have ground beef if that helps

Nope.. I also forgot to tell it that I have 90 mins before my next meeting.

give me some more mango and ground beef recipes, no tacos or enchiladas. Best if the dish takes 90 mins or less to make. I like the idea of meatballs and mango sauce because I can set some meatballs aside for super picky eaters. Give me 10 ideas please

This idea still didn't feel quite right, so I decided to make meatballs instead, as they usually go over well with the kids.

Suggest some meatball recipes with mango in the sauce

It seemed to have forgotten who it's dealing with (my picky eaters)-

for picky eaters

What it gave me was interesting-

I wanted to understand more about the ingredients, but also, what overall rating I could expect:

Please give me ingredients and cooking time for #3, #4, #8 and #10. Also, expected rating if this was on the internet and rated by more than 100 people

I loved the results. In hindsight, I should have requested it in paragraph form instead of bullet points, as taking screenshots for the blog is quite a hassle.

I was wondering about the creamy one-

I am curious about the creamy recipe, is the creamy aspect coming from the sauce?

It answered-

Not what I was looking for so I proceeded to ask-

I would love to try #10, please give me the full recipe, just not too sour.

I saw this and thought about the face my eldest would make after trying something sour..

actually, can we try something with coconut milk in the sauce? Not saying it needs to be sour. Don't want it too sweet. A tad salty is good

Hell will freeze over before I put fish sauce in anything. Full disclosure: there were two separate prompts, but they were so similar that I consolidated them.

no fish sauce, I hate fish sauce. Please create the recipe without the skillet step for the meatballs

Certainly! Here's a simplified version of the Mango Coconut Meatballs recipe without the skillet step for the meatballs:

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Number of Servings: 4 servings

Total Prep Time: Approximately 50 minutes

Calories per Serving: Approximately 450 calories per serving (calculated using ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, olive oil, mango puree, coconut milk, and estimated sauce distribution)

Mango Coconut Meatballs (Oven-Baked)

Ingredients:

• For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 egg

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• For the Sauce:

• 1 cup mango puree (from fresh or canned mango)

• 1 cup coconut milk (full fat for creaminess)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger or 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)

• 1/4 cup chicken broth (to thin the sauce if needed)

• Juice of 1 lime (optional, for a hint of tanginess)

• Garnish:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

• Sliced green onions (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. Prepare the Meatballs:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

• Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

• Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

1. Bake the Meatballs:

• Place the baking sheet with the meatballs in the preheated oven.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.

1. Prepare the Mango Coconut Sauce:

• While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce.

• In a medium saucepan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

• Add the mango puree and coconut milk, stirring to combine.

• Add the soy sauce and chili flakes. Stir well.

• Let the sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.

• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add lime juice if desired for a slight tang.

1. Combine Meatballs and Sauce:

• Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the mango coconut sauce.

• Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.

• Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

1. Serve:

• Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving dish.

• Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions, if desired.

• Serve the mango coconut meatballs over rice, noodles, or with a side of vegetables.

Enjoy your meal! Adjust seasoning and garnishes to suit your taste preferences. Let me know if you have any more questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know!

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