Asian Chicken Meatballs In A Ginger Miso Broth Recipes

ASIAN CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Coarsely chop ginger, garlic and green onions.
• Place in bowl of food processor.
• Add water chestnuts to food processor.
• Grind until a thick paste forms.
• There will still be some small pieces of water chestnut.
• Remove paste, place in mixing bowl.
• Add sesame oil, soy sauce, broth and egg to water chestnut paste.
• Add chicken.
• Combine all ingredients until well blended.
• Heat large skillet, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan (to help prevent sticking).
• Using hands, or a small scoop, form a ball of meat about the size of a golf ball, place in the hot skillet.
• The meat mixture is very wet and loose, it will not hold it's shape well, so keep the balls small or they will flatten as they cook.
• Saute meatballs about 2 minutes or until browned on bottom, turn gently to an uncooked side, and continue cooking.
• Keep turning the meatballs as they cook, so that all sides are browned evenly.
• Cut a meatball open to test for doneness by verifying that it is cooked through to the center.
• Remove cooked meatballs and keep warm until all are done.
• Serve plain, or with your favorite dipping sauce.

ASIAN CHICKEN AND CILANTRO MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the Kaffir Lime Powder, if using:
• In the spice mill, grind the leaves to a fine powder. Store in the jar with the lid securely tightened at room temperature for up to 1 month. (Makes 2 tablespoons powder.)
• Make the soup:
• Cut the chicken into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Spread the meat in a single layer on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 1 hour. The chicken should be stiff. (Freezing will help the food processor blade cut the meat cleanly rather than tearing or smearing it.)
• Place the cubes in the food processor and process for about 15 seconds, until the chicken is coarsely ground. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil and the remaining ingredients (except the stock), and use your hands to blend the mixture
• To prevent the mixture from sticking, wet your hands with cold water, then shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch (3 cm) balls, about the size of golf balls.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 quart (1 l) water to a boil over high heat.
• Arrange the meatballs side by side in the steamer, cover, and place on top of the saucepan. Steam until cooked through, about 5 minutes (see page 15 for best tips on steaming techniques and equipment). In a skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs for a few minutes to create a crunchy, colorful exterior. Serve in the chicken stock or vegetable stock, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

TSUKUNE MISO NABE (CHICKEN-MEATBALL HOT POT IN MISO BROTH)

Steps:

• Prepare the meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs, and knead with your hands until the mix is smooth and shiny. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to shape and cook.
• Prepare the hot pot: Place a large donabe, Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and bring the dashi to a simmer. Add the mirin and tamari. Whisk in miso. (You can put the miso in a strainer and hold it directly in the broth as you whisk, so it dissolves smoothly.)
• With wet hands, shape the chicken mixture into tablespoon-size balls to make about 30 meatballs, then drop them into the simmering broth. Add the mushrooms and tofu. (If using very delicate tofu, wait and add it with the greens.)
• Bring the broth back up to a simmer, turn the heat down to low, and cover. Simmer gently until all the ingredients are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Add the greens, and cover for 1 more minute, then serve with sesame and togarashi.

MISO CHICKEN MEATBALLS IN BROTH

Steps:

• Mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs and season well. With wet hands, shape them into balls about the size of a walnut. Put them on a baking tray, cover and chill for about 30 mins.
• Heat about 1½ tbsp of oil in a large frying pan over a high heat and cook the meatballs in two batches, or use two pans, adding more oil if you need it. You need a good colour on the outside. Turn the heat down to cook the meatballs through, rolling them in the miso juices they release as they cook. It will take about 8-10 mins to cook each batch. Cook the rice noodles for 1 min less than pack instructions, drain and set aside.
• Heat the stock in a saucepan and add 1 chilli, the ginger and garlic. Simmer for 4 mins. Add the meatballs and soy and simmer gently for 3 mins, then add the spring onions, rice noodles, spinach and the rest of the chilli. Add a little lime to taste, then divide between bowls and serve.