CHINESE PEARL MEATBALLS

Chinese Pearl Meatballs image

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 c glutinous rice, soaked for 2 hours
1 lb ground pork
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp dry sherry
2-3 Tbsp sesame oil
4-5 green onions, chopped
1/2 can(s) water chestnuts, chopped
3 clove garlic, minced
1 large egg
fresh ginger, chopped
kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
cornstarch
3-4 dried shitake` mushrooms, optional
8-10 dried shrimp, optional
DIPPING SAUCE
6 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp asian chili paste, or more to taste

Steps:

1. Soaked the rice for 2 hours. Mix the rest of the ingredients with ground pork in a mixing bowl and add 1 to 1.5 cups of water. Mix well and let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Spread out the soaked riced onto a plate. Roll the meat into a small ball with the help of a tablespoon.
3. Gently roll the meatball on the plate of rice to cover the meatball. Place onto a plate that can sit inside of the bamboo steamer.
4. Bring 1/2 pot of water to boil and place the stacked bamboo steamer (with the plated meatballs inside) on top. Make sure there's a good seal between the pot and the steamer. Steam for 30 minutes.
5. Take off the steamer from the pot and let it cool. Suggestion for plating: plate the meatballs on top of a bed of shredded lettuce and surround them by green broccoli or shredded green and red bell peppers.
6. DIPPING SAUCE: Mix all ingredients together and serve with pearl meatballs.