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Pearl Meatballs (Sticky Rice Meatballs, 珍珠丸子)

Tender, juicy pork accompanied by a layer of gooey rice, Chinese pearl meatballs are a delightful dish to enjoy.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Soak
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 433 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 100 g glutinous rice, aka sticky rice about ½ cup
  • 250 g minced pork, or chicken about 9oz
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon light soy sauce see note 1 for gluten-free option
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 stalk scallions, finely chopped
  • 70 g minced water chestnuts about ⅓ cup, see note 2 for substitutes
  • Sliced of carrot optional

Instructions

Soak the rice
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add glutinous rice to a bowl. Pour in water and leave to soak for at least 2 hours.
Prepare the meat
  1. Put minced pork into a mixing bowl along with salt, white pepper, cornstarch, light soy sauce, sesame oil, egg white, ginger and scallions (leave some for garnishing later).
  2. Stir in one direction until it becomes sticky. Add minced water chestnut and mix well.
Shape the meatballs
  1. Place some meat mixture onto the palm of your hand (wear a kitchen glove if you wish).
  2. Gently close your hand into a fist while squeezing some mixture out through the opening between your thumb and index finger to form a ball.
  3. Scoop it off with a spoon. Repeat to shape more (I made 15 balls with each measuring about 4 cm/1½ inches).
  4. Drain the glutinous rice. Gently roll each meatball in the rice to get an even coating.
Steam the dish
  1. Place slices of carrot onto a flat plate. Put meatballs over the carrot (see note 3 for alternative methods). Leave a little gap in between the balls.
  2. Bring water to a full boil. Put the plate over a steamer rack or into a steamer basket. Leave to steam for 15 mins.
  3. Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.

Notes

  • To make this dish gluten-free friendly, you may simply replace light soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
  • You may replace water chestnuts with other crunchy vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, lotus root, celery, etc.
  • I use carrot slices for a more appealing look. Please feel free to skip it and place meatballs directly onto the plate. Alternatively, use leaves of Napa cabbage to line your steamer basket, then put the meatballs on top (without using a plate to steam).

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 433kcal (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 433

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 433kcal 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.