Lemongrass Coconut Noodles With Spicy Chinese Meatballs Recipes

VERMICELLI NOODLES WITH LEMONGRASS PORK MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the meatballs:
• Cut the bottom 1/2 inch off each lemongrass stalk and trim the woody top portion of each stalk and discard. Peel the outer layers of each stalk until you reach the tender center. Thinly slice the stalks into coins, then very finely mince. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the pork, fish sauce, salt, sugar, and white pepper and mix to combine. Roll into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set on a rimmed baking sheet. The meatballs can be made beforehand; transfer to a lidded container or tightly wrap the baking sheet with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use but no longer than 24 hours.
• Make the dressing:
• In a small jar with a lid, combine the fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and minced chile. Put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside (the dressing will keep, refrigerated, for up to a week, though it gets spicier as it sits).
• Make the fried shallots:
• Pour the oil into a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and add the sliced shallots to the cold oil. Line a plate with paper towels and set it nearby. As the oil heats, the shallots will begin to sizzle and bubble; fry, stirring frequently for even cooking, until the shallots begin to brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until they are an even golden brown and crisp (at this stage, they can go from nicely browned to acrid and overcooked very quickly, so be vigilant). Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the shallots to the paper-towel- lined plate. Let the oil cool, then pour through a fine- mesh sieve into a clean jar. (Do not discard the oil; it's liquid gold, great for another batch of fried shallots or to add flavor to dressings and sautéed vegetables, and you can also use it to make a batch of aioli.) The fried shallots can be made in advance. Let cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature. Resist snacking on them; they'll keep for about a week.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When the water is boiling add the vermicelli noodles and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with a tablespoon of the shallot oil (it's fine if it's still warm) and toss to coat.
• Preheat the broiler to high. Transfer the baking sheet of meatballs to the oven, positioning it a few inches from the heating element. Broil the meatballs until browned, about 3 minutes, then roll the meatballs to the second side and broil for 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl.
• To serve, arrange the vermicelli on a platter and surround with carrots, cucumber slices, lettuce, mint, and cilantro leaves. Serve the meatballs, dressing, fried shallots, and chopped peanuts alongside. Let the diners dig in, serving themselves some of the noodles, carrots, and cucumbers, garnished with herbs, shallots, and peanuts. Spoon dressing over each serving and top with a few meatballs.

LEMONGRASS COCONUT SHRIMP AND NOODLES PARCHMENT PACKS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Cut four 16-inch long sheets of parchment paper. Fold each sheet in half and open like a book, then place 2 each on 2 rimmed baking sheets.
• Place the noodles in a large bowl and cover completely with warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften, then drain well. Dry the bowl and return the noodles to it. Add the spinach and carrots and set aside.
• Whisk the coconut milk, curry paste, fish sauce, garlic, lime zest and juice, and brown sugar together in a medium bowl. Transfer 1/4 cup of this marinade to the noodles, season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Add the shrimp to the remaining marinade and toss to coat.
• Divide the noodles and vegetables among the 4 sheets of parchment, placing on one side of the fold. Drizzle each serving with 2 tablespoons water. Top with the shrimp and drizzle with the remaining marinade. Smash the lemongrass with a mallet or other heavy item; place 2 pieces in each parchment pack.
• Fold over the top half of the parchment, crimping and overlapping small folds along the open edge to seal tightly. Bake until the parchment pack puffs, about 12 minutes; the shrimp should be cooked through.
• Transfer each pack to a plate. Avoiding the hot steam, carefully cut open each pack and discard the lemongrass stalks. Serve with lime wedges.

LEMONGRASS-COCONUT NOODLES WITH SPICY CHINESE MEAT

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Stir in the egg noodles and cook until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, transfer to a bowl, drizzle the sesame oil over them, toss to coat, and reserve.
• 2. For the meatballs: Mix together the beef, pork, ginger, fish sauce, vinegar, chili flakes, peppercorns, salt, some black pepper, the scallions, garlic and egg yolk in a large bowl until well combined. Roll the mixture into 12 meatballs using your hands, wetting them if necessary.
• 3. Heat the oil in a wok over high heat and fry the meatballs, working in batches and turning with a slotted spoon until golden and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Drain the wok and wipe it clean with a paper towel.
• 4. For the sauce: Heat the peanut oil in the wok over high heat. Add the shrimp paste and stir-fry until toasted, and then stir in the lemongrass and coconut milk and boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the fish sauce, Sriracha and cooked meatballs and briefly simmer to reheat them in the sauce. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Toss the noodles in the sauce until well coated and hot.
• 5. Transfer the noodles to a platter, top with the warm meatballs, and garnish with chopped cilantro sprinkled over the top. Serve immediately.