Vietnamese Pork Meatballs With Ginger-Lime Sauce

Submitted by dojemi

"This recipe is courtesy of Jonathan Levitt and was recently published in The Boston Globe. Prep time is approximate and includes the prepping for the sauce, bamboo skewers and pork mixture."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 50mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 50 meatballs

ingredients

• SAUCE

• 1 piece fresh gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 limes, juice of
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons asian fish sauce

• PORK

• 2 1⁄2 lbs ground pork
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons asian fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• black pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons peanut oil (or canola oil)
• 2 heads bibb lettuce, separated into leaves
• 3 carrots, sliced into matchsticks
• 8 sprigs fresh cilantro, leaves only

directions

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the ginger, lime juice, and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the fish sauce. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes before serving.
3. Soak 16 wood skewers in water for 30 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine pork, shallot, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or for as long as overnight.
5. Light a charcoal grill or turn a gas grill to medium-high. Spoon 2 teaspoons of oil onto a platter. Use the oil to coat your hands. Scoop up a tablespoon of the pork mixture and shape it into a tight ball. Set on the oiled plate. Repeat with the remaining pork. You should have 50 meatballs.
6. Slide the balls onto skewers, placing 3 on each. When the coals are ready, place skewers on the grill and cook for 10 minutes without moving. Turn and continue cooking 10 more minutes or until the meat is cooked through.
7. Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish, setting aside 6 skewers for the noodle dish.
8. Wrap the meatballs in the lettuce leaves, top with carrots and cilantro leaves. Serve with the ginger-lime sauce.