Chinese Pearl Meatballs

These tasty meatballs are easy to make. Wonderful for your Chinese New Year celebration or as an addition to a holiday buffet. Some folks dye the glutinous rice with red or green for a holiday touch. Another serving idea is to whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and garlic to taste and sprinkle over the meatballs, rice, and some steamed vegetables.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 221 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• ⅔ pound ground pork
• ½ cup uncooked glutinous (sticky) white rice, rinsed
• 2 leaves Chinese cabbage

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place the rice in a bowl with enough water to cover. Allow to soak 2 hours. Drain and pour onto a platter.

Step 2

Mix the ground pork, water, wine, cornstarch, soy sauce, onion, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Divide and roll the mixture into balls 1-1/2 to 2 inches in size. Roll the meatballs in the soaked glutinous rice to coat completely.

Step 3

Line a large bamboo steamer with the cabbage leaves. Arrange the meatballs atop the cabbage leaves.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat; place a bamboo steamer over the boiling water. Steam the meatballs until no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes.