Hamburger Hawaiian

This recipe is yummy! A friend gave me this recipe and it has become a family favorite!

1 1/4 Pound Ground beef
1/2--2/3 Cup Bread or Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Teaspoon Salt
A little milk (I use about 2 TBSP. or so--not much)
1 Egg
1 Can Pineapple Chunks
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 Cup Green Pepper, Chopped (I don't use pepper)

Combine beef, crumbs, onion, salt, milk and egg, like a meatloaf. Shape into about 10-12 small patties (2-3 in.). Brown patties in a large skillet. Drain off fat. Drain pineapple, reserving syrup. Add water to reserved syrup to equal 1 C. liquid and mix with cornstarch, vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Pour mixture over hamburgers. Simmer until thickened and clear, stirring carefully with spatula, so you don't break up hamburger patties. Add pineapple and green pepper for the last 10-15 minutes of simmering. Serve with rice.

NOTE: I always double this recipe to feed my family. Also, I brown the patties until they are done (not overcooked), and then add the sauce, and cook until it is thickened and clear. Then I add the pineapple and heat through--I rarely have to leave the hamburger patties in for 10-15 more minutes like the recipe says. It also works to bake the patties in the oven for about 20 minutes or so at about 350'. Once the patties are baked through, pour the sauce over them, let them cook longer until the sauce is thickened and clear, stirring it occasionally. I like them better browned in a skillet better, however. Also, for the bread crumbs, I have just used the already prepared bread crumbs that you can buy in the baking section at the store. Any crushed cracker crumbs would work, too.