Ingredients:
2 Cups Japanese Sushi Rice-short grain rice
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
¼ Cup Scallion Greens-chopped fine
1 Tbsp. Fresh Ginger-minced or grated finely
1 Tbsp. Garlic-minced
1 tsp. Chinese Five Spice-optional
½ Cup Waterchestnuts-chopped fine
1 Lb. Ground Pork-preferably ground from the butt, (not too lean)
¼ Cup Cornstarch-sifted
3 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
As Needed Your Favorite Dipping Sauce-Apricot Duck, Sweet Chile, Asian BBQ, Hoisin etc.
Place the rice in a bowl, add cold water, agitate, and pour out the milky looking water. Repeat until the water runs clear. Add enough cold water to cover the rice, and let soak 1 hour at room temperature. Drain very well and place rice in a wide casserole dish and spread out until an even layer. Reserve. While rice is soaking, prepare meat mixture.
Heat a sauté pan, add vegetable oil, and add the scallions, ginger, garlic, and Chinese five spice. Cook stirring for about 30 seconds until very aromatic. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place ground pork in bowl, Add the waterchestnuts, cornstarch, and the cooled scallion mixture, soy sauce, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. To check flavor, fry a very thin, small patty until cooked through. Adjust as necessary.
Using a small truffle scoop or heaping teaspoon measure, scoop the meat and gently round with your hands. Gently roll each meatball in the rice to allow the rice to stick only to the exterior of the meatball.
Place dumplings in a steamer set up with enough water so it does not touch the meat, but not so little that it will not boil dry during the steaming. Cover tightly, and steam over moderately boiling water for about 20 minutes. Uncover carefully, place a toothpick in each meatball, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Lincoln Culinary Institute’s Website: www.lincolnculinary.com
