Meatballs are used in a variety of cuisines, although their recipes vary from place to place. Typically, they consist of ground meat but there are many cuisines, which do not use meat to satiate the taste buds of vegetarians. They are great as appetizers and are also used with soups or sometimes atop a pizza. Whatever the reason, they sure are an easy and delicious way to begin any meal. Here are some easy ways to prepare them at home. So, put on your chef's hat and use these recipes to create some amazing dishes. Basic Method Ingredients

• Beef, 1 lb. (ground)
• Egg, 1
• Water, 1 cup
• Onion, 1 (chopped)
• Dry Breadcrumbs, 1 cup
• Cider Vinegar, ½ cup
• Ketchup, ½ cup
• Salt and Pepper, as per taste
• Cornstarch, 2 tbsp.
• Brown Sugar, 1 cup
• Soy Sauce, 2 tbsp.

Preparation Take a large bowl and combine breadcrumbs, egg, onion, and beef in it. Add some salt and pepper to taste. Roll this into 1 inch sized meatballs. Meanwhile, take a large iron skillet and place it over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in this till they turn a shade of brown. Then, take a separate bowl and combine ketchup, cornstarch, water, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Once you blend it well, pour it over the dish and let it thicken. Keep it over a medium flame for 10 minutes and then take it off the heat. Serve it hot. With Bruzzels Sprouts and Pineapple Chunks Ingredients

• Beef, 1 lb. (ground)
• Coriander, ¼ tsp.
• Cornstarch, 2 tbsp.
• Soft Bread Crumbs, 1 cup
• Egg, 1 (beaten)
• Salt, ¼ tsp.
• Oil, ½ cup
• Garlic clove, 1
• Onion, ¼ cup (chopped)
• Water Chestnuts, 1 can
• Horseradish, 2 tbsp.
• Brussels Sprouts, 10 oz. (frozen)
• Pineapple Chunks, 15 oz. can (unsweetened and drained)

Preparation Take a large bowl and combine bread crumbs, beef, egg, and the seasonings. Sprinkle some amount of salt over this. Then blend the ingredients into a ball and roll each meatball in the cornstarch. Meanwhile, heat some oil in a wok and fry them in it, till they turn brown. Once done, remove from wok and drain the oil. Place the frozen Brussels sprouts in a baking dish on a rack in the wok. This should in turn be placed in bubbling water. Cook and steam the same for at least 5 minutes and then let it rest for some time. Once done, drain the wok and dry the same. Meanwhile, fry some garlic and then add some onions as well. Stir-fry it for a few seconds. Once done, reduce the heat and add the meatballs, sprouts, water chestnuts, and chunks of pineapple. Now you would need to prepare the sauce for this recipe. Ingredients for Sauce

• Sherry, 2 tbsp.
• Sugar, ⅓ cup
• Cider Vinegar, ⅓ cup
• Soy Sauce, 2 tbsp.
• Catsup, ¼ cup
• Cornstarch, 2 tbsp. (dissolved in ½ cup pineapple juice)

Preparation Combine all the ingredients in a pan and cook the same over medium heat. Keep stirring till it thickens to the desired intensity. Pour this preparation over the dish and serve it with some steamed rice. Vegetarian Preparation Ingredients

• Eggs, 4
• Onion, ½ cup (finely chopped)
• Pecans, 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Cheddar Cheese, 1 cup (shredded)
• Cottage Cheese, ½ cup
• Basil, 1 tsp. (dried)
• Sage, ¼ tsp. (dried)
• Salt, 1½ tsp.
• Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs, 2 cups

Ingredients for Sauce

• Vegetable Oil, ¼ cup
• Ketchup, 1 cup
• Onion, 1 cup (minced)
• White Vinegar, ¼ cup
• Apricot Jam, ¾ cup
• Oregano, 1 tsp. (dried)
• Hot Pepper Sauce, as per taste

Preparation Take a large bowl and mix cheddar and cottage cheese along with the eggs. Blend it well. At the same time, preheat the oven to 350° F. Take a separate cup and mix pecans, ½ cup onion, basil, sage, and some amount of salt. Add the breadcrumbs as well. Make around 2 inch sized balls out of this mixture and place them in a baking dish. Take another bowl and add the apricot jam, ketchup, vegetable oil, vinegar, ½ cup onion, hot pepper sauce, and oregano. Then, pour this preparation over the dish. Bake the same uncovered for at least 40 minutes in the preheated oven. Serve it hot.