Honey basil pork meatballs

This recipe made my day. Not only did it turn out amazing the first time, it was super quick, easy and so tasty. My son loved it so much he ate two servings. My husband devoured his and I barely managed to sneak a few away into a leftover tray for lunch. I am pretty sure that this dinner for 4 really should translate to dinner for 2 plus amazing snacks all day. One of the things I really enjoyed about this dish was getting to use the basil that I have growing in my front garden. I typically plant 8-10 basil plants each spring because I love making pesto. Other than pesto, pasta sauce, and caprese salad, I don't have a ton of other basil recipes. This will be on the list from now on. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground pork
• handful of fresh basil leaves. I used 6
• 2 tbl minced garlic or about 4 cloves, minced
• 3 onion tops (scallions)
• 1 tbl fish sauce
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 1/2 tbl honey
• 2 tbl Sesame oil for the pan

Greens portion:

• Bunch of kale, stem removed, leaves washed and chopped
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup of stock or water (whatever you have on hand)

In a bowl combine the minced garlic, spices, honey, fish sauce, greens and pork. Smash together with your bare hands while pretending you are the Swedish Chef. Bork Bork Bork! Meanwhile, you sesame oil should be heating in a pan over medium heat. You want it hot enough to cook the meat but not too hot as to burn it. That will leave a crispy outside and raw inside. 

Once you made little meatballs, place them gently in the hot oil and be sure to leave some space around each one. Turn as they brown. This whole process takes about 10 minutes to complete. Remove the meatballs and let cool on a piece of paper towel so the oil drains away.

Place the chopped onion and kale in the pan of oil. Stir around to get nice and sesame oiled. Add the 1/4 cup of liquid so it creates a steam. Place the lid on the pan and step away for a minute. Once the greens have cooked down to your liking, serve up and enjoy! 

My son really loved this. He had his regular bowl of slop for dinner then ate a bowl of this while smiling. He got really excited when I served him another meat ball. Paleo baby!!!!!!