Pearl Balls (New Year)
What makes this appetizer stand out are the grains of glutinous rice (also called sweet or sticky rice), which turn a pearly color when cooked.
Yield
10 servingsPrep
15 minCook
35 minReady
50 minIngredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¾ | cup |
glutinous rice
|
* |
| 1 | pound |
ground pork
|
|
| 1 | large |
scallions, spring or green onions
minced (at least 3 tablespoons) |
|
| 2 | each |
water chestnuts
minced fine |
*
|
| 1 | large |
egg whites
|
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
soy sauce, light
|
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
sherry
dried |
|
| 1 | tablespoon |
salt
|
|
| 1 | x |
black pepper
to taste |
*
|
| 1 | teaspoon |
cornstarch
or as needed |
|
Ingredients
| Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 177 | ml |
glutinous rice
|
* |
| 453.6 | g |
ground pork
|
|
| 1 | large |
scallions, spring or green onions
minced (at least 3 tablespoons) |
|
| 2 | each |
water chestnuts
minced fine |
*
|
| 1 | large |
egg whites
|
|
| 15 | ml |
soy sauce, light
|
|
| 15 | ml |
sherry
dried |
|
| 15 | ml |
salt
|
|
| 1 | x |
black pepper
to taste |
*
|
| 5 | ml |
cornstarch
or as needed |
|
Directions
Soak the glutinous rice in water for at least 6 to 8 hours (preferably overnight).
Drain well in a sieve or colander.
Spread out the rice on a baking sheet.
Note: Drain and spread out the rice just before making the pearl balls, so that the rice doesn't dry out too much.
Mince or grind the pork if not using ground pork.
In a large bowl, combine the pork, soy sauce, sherry, green onion, water chestnuts, salt, pepper, egg white and cornstarch.
Prepare the steamer for steaming.
Take about 1 tablespoon of the ground pork mixture and form into a ball.
Roll lightly over the glutinous rice and place on a heatproof plate.
Continue with the rest of the pork mixture, placing the balls ½-inch apart. (You will need at least 2 plates).
Place the plates in a steamer container or on a bamboo basket in a wok.
Cover and steam the pearl balls over boiling water for between 25 to 35 minutes, until they are cooked through.
Steam in two batches if needed.
Serve the pearl balls hot with soy sauce.
