Tangerine Meatballs

Tangerine Meatballs

1 pound ground beef

1/2 pound bulk pork sausage

1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 teaspoons freshly grated tangerine peel, divided

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup fresh-squeezed tangerine juice

Juice of 1/2 lemon (3 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Hot cooked rice or noodles

Tangerine zest and segments, seeded, for garnish

Thoroughly combine beef, sausage, crumbs, egg, 1 teaspoon peel and nutmeg. Shape firmly into 24 small balls. In a large skillet, brown meatballs well in oil. Remove them from skillet and pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings.

To make sauce, gradually blend tangerine and lemon juice into sugar and cornstarch. Add to pan drippings and cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened. Add meatballs and cook, covered, 5 minutes over low heat. Uncover and add remaining teaspoon of peel. Heat thoroughly. Serve on bed of hot cooked rice. Garnish with tangerine segments and tangerine zest.

Makes 6 servings.