Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the minced garlic and sauté for only a minute or so until it softens but does not brown.

Step 3

Add the water, honey, soy sauce, 5 spice powder and pepper. (Do not add salt, there is plenty on the soy sauce.)

Step 4

Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes then thicken with the slurry of cornstarch and water. Stir constantly as you add the slurry to the sauce. cook for an additional minute before taking the sauce off the heat.

Step 5

Pour the milk over the breadcrumbs to soak while you gather the rest of the ingredients.

Step 6

Put all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together well.

Step 7

Form into 2 inch balls. Keeping your hands wet with cold water prevents the mixture from sticking to your hands.

Step 8

Brown the meatballs on all sides in a non stick frying pan for about 10 minutes. You want to get some good colour on them.

Step 9

Add the meatballs to a small covered casserole dish and pour the sauce over them. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 30-40 minutes; the sauce should be bubbling well at this point. Serve over steamed rice or thin Chinese noodles.