Lion's Head Meatballs

Makes: 10 meatballs, for 5 main-dish or 10 appetizer servings

Active Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup “lite” coconut milk
• 2 1/2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 pound lean ground pork, or beef
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions
• 1/4 cup minced leek, white and pale green part only
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons seeded and minced fresh chile pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium head Boston or iceberg lettuce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, or Thai basil
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

• PREPARATION

  1. Combine coconut milk, soy sauce and curry powder in a large saucepan. Set aside.
  2. Place pork (or beef), scallions, leek, cornstarch, flour, sesame oil, ginger, chile, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Knead by hand until thoroughly combined and the mixture becomes sticky. Divide into 10 equal portions, about 1/4 cup each. Roll each portion into a ball.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat the sides. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
  4. Bring the coconut-milk mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs; cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 8 minutes.
  5. Line a serving bowl with lettuce leaves. Arrange the meatballs on top. Garnish with basil and lemon zest. Serve hot with the coconut-milk sauce drizzled over the top or on the side for dipping.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the meatball mixture (Step 2) for up to 2 days.

  NUTRITION

  Per meatball: 115 calories; 7 g fat (3 g sat, 1 g mono); 26 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 10 g protein; 1 g fiber; 297 mg sodium; 83 mg potassium.
  Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (15% daily value).
  Exchanges: 1 1/2 lean meat, 1/2 vegetable

• http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/lions_head_meatballs.html