Asian meatball recipe provided by Veronica Culver, The Enchanted Cook
Sometimes you have a hankering for a particular thing, and lately, I’ve had Bành mi on my mind, the inspiration for this recipe.
And while pork meatballs aren’t what you’d expect to find on a traditional banh mi, this just worked. It’s very simply, Asian-spiced ground pork formed into little balls, which conveniently cook up in a matter of minutes. The vinaigrette-style dressing is light and fresh, reminiscent of a tart Thai chili sauce.
Alternatively, you can also serve these mini Asian meatballs over a salad of mild mixed greens for a delicious lunch or dinner.
You can use whatever greens you like. I prefer a mild mix of tender baby greens blended with sweet pea shoots topped with organic Asian microgreens. Just toss a clamshell of greens together with 2 chopped green onions and a half-cup of chopped cilantro.
Spicy Asian Meatballs With Thai Vinaigrette Dipping Sauce
https://www.bulletproof.com/recipes/bulletproof-diet-recipes/spicy-asian-meatballs-with-thai-vinaigrette-dipping-sauce/
Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground pastured pork
- 3 green onions, chopped small
- 3 tablespoons micro cilantro or chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemongrass (see Cook’s Note)
- 2 large cloves fresh garlic, pressed or finely grated
- 1/2 of a fresh Thai or serrano chile, finely minced (more or less depending on heat preference)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 3/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- 1 tablespoon unflavored coconut oil, for cooking
Thai Dipping Sauce
- Juice of 1 small lime
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon Brain Octane Oil
- 1/4 – 1/2 fresh Thai chili, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
- Pinch sea salt
- Mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
Cook’s Note: To prep your fresh lemongrass, remove the tough, outer layers (1-2 layers). Then grate using a Microplane or box grater to grate finely, as it’s fibrous if not broken down.
Instructions:
To Make Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the cooking oil together.
- Roll into small balls — approximately 32 meatballs — and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add the cooking oil.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if needed, and cook for approximately 6-7 minutes, turning as you go to lightly brown on each side.
To Make Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients and whisk together.
- Serving Suggestion
- Put Thai dipping sauce in a small ramekin in the middle of a large serving plate.
- Line the serving dish with mint leaves, as garnish. Place the spicy Asian meatballs on top of the mint leaves and skewer with toothpicks.
Makes: 32 Meatballs
Nutritional Information (8 meatballs):
- Calories: 249
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7.8g
- Carbs: 5.7g
- Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugar: 0.5g
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