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Shrimp and Pork Meatball Wraps with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce





Yields
Serves 6 as an appetizer (makes 18 to 20 meatballs)




Prep Time
1 hr

For extra-crispy meatballs, roll them in panko before pan-frying; you'll need a little more oil.

Shrimp and Pork Meatball Wraps with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce




Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Kevin Crafts
  DIPPING SAUCE
 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
 2 tablespoons sugar
 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
 1 tablespoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc mam)
 1 teaspoon Sriracha red chili sauce
  MEATBALLS
 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
 2 green onions, minced
 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
 1/2 cup finely chopped napa cabbage
 1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
 1/2 pound peeled, deveined shrimp, tails removed, finely chopped
 1/4 pound ground pork
 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  SERVING
  About 20 medium butter lettuce leaves (from 2 heads)
 1/2 cup finely shredded daikon radish, preferably shredded with a mandoline
 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot, preferably shredded with a mandoline
Step 1
1

Make sauce: In a bowl, stir together all ingredients until sugar dissolves. Set aside.

Step 2
2

Make meatballs: In a large bowl, combine egg white, onions, cilantro, ginger, pepper, salt, and cabbage. Stir in panko. Add shrimp and pork, breaking up with your fingers, and mix well with your hands. Chill until mixture is firm enough to shape, about 15 minutes. With wet hands, roll meat mixture into 1 1/2-in. balls.

Step 3
3

Heat oil in a heavy 12-in. frying pan (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs until well browned all over, turning as needed, 8 to 10 minutes total. With a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to paper towels, then to a platter.

Step 4
4

Serve with lettuce leaves, dipping sauce, and daikon and carrot.

Step 5
5

Mastering meatballs. They sound rustic, but they're delicate things that suffer from over-handling. Here are tips for making them come out right.

Step 6
6

Mixing: Always start by mixing the bread crumbs (which keep the meatballs from getting tough), any liquids, and seasonings—then add the meat. Stop when the mixture looks evenly blended; don't overwork it.

Step 7
7

Forming: Dampen your hands with cold water to keep the meat mixture from sticking while you roll it into balls. If it's still sticky, let it sit for a few minutes in the fridge.

Step 8
8

Browning: A good crust helps meatballs retain their shape—important if they're going to simmer in a thick sauce. If you plan to eat them on their own or add them to broth, though, a light pan-frying will do the trick.

Step 9
9

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 174Calories from Fat 49
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9.7g15%

Saturated Fat 2.2g12%
Cholesterol 71mg24%
Sodium 497mg21%
Total Carbohydrate 9.4g4%

Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Protein 13g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.