southern fried meatballs

How to Make Nanjian Meatballs: A Complete Guide

Nanjian meatballs, a classic Sichuan dish, are beloved for their tender texture, savory-sweet sauce, and vibrant colors. Here’s a detailed guide to making them at home.

Ingredients:

- 300g ground pork (a mix of lean and fat for best results)

- 2 shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped

- 1 water chestnut, minced

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine

- 1/2 tsp white pepper

- 2 tbsp starch

- 3 tbsp oil (for frying)

- Sauce: 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 tsp cornstarch.

Steps:

1. Prepare the meat mixture: In a bowl, combine ground pork, mushrooms, water chestnut, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, white pepper, and starch. Mix well until sticky. Shape into 1.5-inch balls.

2. Pan-fry the meatballs: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add meatballs and fry until golden brown on all sides (about 4-5 minutes). Remove and set aside.

3. Make the sauce: In the same pan, pour in the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, water). Bring to a simmer, then add cornstarch to thicken.

4. Combine and simmer: Return meatballs to the pan. Gently stir to coat them in the sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce caramelizes slightly.

5. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Enjoy with steamed rice!

Tips: For extra flavor, add a pinch of five-spice powder to the meat mixture. Adjust the sauce’s sweetness or sourness to your taste. This dish pairs perfectly with a side of stir-fried greens. Happy cooking!

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