Ingredients

  • 12 cup raisins
  • 14 cup apricot flavored white wine
  • 12 cup dried apricot, pressed down, divided
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 14 teaspoon vanilla
  • 14 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil or 1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 14 cup chopped carrot
  • 12 cup chopped celery
  • 12 cup scallion, sliced thin (or onions chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons wine, from the raisins
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons plum sauce (or other sweet Asian sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • 1 lb tilapia fillet, cut into chunks
  • 12 lb shrimp, cooked shell and tail removed, rough chop
  • 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (thaw and drain)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper (or 1 tsp pepper and 1 tsp lemon)
  • 12 cup plain fine breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 12 of the chopped boiled apricot
  • 12 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 14 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons wine, from raisins
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tablespoons water, from apricots soak (or use apricot nectar)
  • 4 tablespoons catsup
  • 2 tablespoons plum sauce (or other sweet Asian sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • 14 teaspoon chili paste (or other spicey product, more can be added if you like it spicier)

Method

  • Pour wine over raisins, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Put apricots in a small sauce pan and cover with water.
  • Bring to boil and simmer until tender (30 - 35 minutes).
  • Drain and reserve liquid if any.
  • Chop apricots and put 1/2 in bowl (reserve other half for sauce).
  • Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and raisins.
  • Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 325.
  • Heat a skillet, and add oil and butter.
  • Saute carrot, celery and scallions for 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic and stir in for 1 minute.
  • Stir in wine, soy sauce, plum sauce, oyster sauce.
  • Stir in tilapia and saute until cooked (about 3-5 minutes).
  • Tilapia should flake apart.
  • Stir in spinach until well blended.
  • Add lemon pepper and stir in shrimp until heated.
  • Put into bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Mix in breadcrumbs, egg, and the raisin apricot mixture.
  • Make balls about 1-1 1/2 inch in diameter.
  • About 20 balls.
  • Place on well oiled baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly browned.
  • Make sauce while these are baking.
  • SAUCE.
  • Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to boil.
  • Turn down heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Be sure to test with the hot sauce so it is to your liking.
  • Serve tilapia balls with sauce over rice.