Meatballs in Coconut Broth

This is a wonderful soup made with pork meatballs but, you could easily make these out of chicken or turkey or pork and prawns. As the colder days approach  I love making soup and this was just something different that turned out very well.

You will need: 

• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic - crushed
• 2 green onions- chopped fine
• 1 tbsp cilantro- chopped fine
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs soaked in 2 tbsp coconut milk for a few minutes to soften
• 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Broth

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tiny can of coconut milk -160 ml
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic sliced
• 2-3 cabbage leaves - sliced fine
• 3-4 mushrooms - sliced
• fresh cilantro to top

Step 1: grate ginger, crush garlic, chop green onions, soak breadcrumbs and add all ingredients along with spices, soy and pork to a medium bowl. Gently work meat to incorporate all ingredients. 

Step 2: form into small meatballs (approx 1 inches) This recipe makes approx 16 meatballs and is perfect for 2 people.

Step 3: in a saute pan with olive oil saute until you have browned the meatballs. Set aside.

Step: 4: prepare all your ingredients for the broth and have ready. I love the tiny cans of coconut milk because I normally cook for 2 people but, if you are cooking for more buy the regular sized cans and double the recipe.

Step 5: in the same pan you cooked the meatballs add a few tbsp of olive oil and garlic slices along with spices to toast in oil. The oil blooms the spices and adds more flavour than just adding to the broth directly.

Step 6: add your cabbage and onions and cook for a few minutes to toss with spices and oil. Add some broth to pan to deglaze and remove all yummy ingredients.

Step 7: in a saucepan add broth and all other ingredients. Simmer with meatballs for 5 minutes. 

Enjoy as is, nice and nourishing! 

OR

add some egg noodles or rice noodles to make it more a more substantial noodle bowl! That's how Big Pete liked it!