Ninh Hoa Grilled Meatballs Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the pork, pepper, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, sugar, cornstarch and fish sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12.
• Using your hands, divide the meat mixture into 18 equal portions and roll into individual balls. Gently push 3 meatballs onto each skewer.
• Preheat the broiler or a grill. Broil or grill the meatballs, turning once, until uniformly brown and crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving platter lined with lettuce and serve with peanut sauce (see recipe) on the side.

Steps:

• Make yogurt sauce:
• Line a large sieve with cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Spoon the yogurt into the sieve and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours to drain off the excess water. You should end up with 1 1/2 to 2 cups drained yogurt. Place the yogurt in a bowl and stir in the garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Fold in the mint and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Make the onion salad:
• Place the onion slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss and let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry. In a bowl, combine the onions, parsley, coriander, and turmeric. Toss well and set aside.
• Preheat the grill or broiler.
• In a bowl, combine the beef, onions, garlic, eggs, thyme, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix until mixture holds together well. Form into twelve 3-inch ovals, about 1 1/2-inches wide and thread them onto metal skewers.
• Brush the meatballs with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the skewers on an oiled grill rack or broiler pan and grill or broil, turning to brown on all sides, until cooked through, about 8 minutes.
• Remove the skewers from the grill or broiler and slip the meatballs off the skewers. Cut the pitas into halves and place a meatball into each half. Serve with the yogurt sauce, onion salad, and tomato slices on the side

Steps:

• Using food processor, process garlic until finely pureed. Combine pork, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar in mixing bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine baking powder and water and stir. Mixture will bubble and foam. Add one drop of food coloring or caramel syrup (this adds color to the pork when grilled).
• Fold the baking powder into mixture and allow meat to chill for about 30 minutes to 1 hour or longer. The baking powder forms air bubbles and adds more bouncier or spongier texture.
• Refrigerate meat mixture a few hours to let it set for easier handling while forming patties, balls or flattened mini sausages. Keep a bowl of water handy and your hands wet for easy handling.
• Grill or pan fry about 4-5 minutes per side.
• Serve with Nuoc Cham and vermicelli (bean thread), if desired.
• To make Nuoc Cham: In a bowl, mash the garlic with the sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• To make Bun Nem Noung: Place vermicelli in boiling water for about 6-8 minutes, stirring regularly to keep from sticking to the bottom of the pot. To check for doneness, take a strand and taste. It should be still slightly firm but easily breaks apart. Drain and flush with cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Combine vermicelli in bowls with nem nuong (pork patties), fresh herbs, pickled carrots and daikon, fried shallots and/or crushed roasted peanuts and dress with Nuoc Cham (sauce).