Chinese Lion's Head Meatball Soup


Servings: 4-6

INGREDIENTS:
Meatballs:
1 pound ground pork or ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs [or Panko]
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root [1 tsp ground ginger powder]
2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TBSP low sodium soy sauce
1/8 tsp black pepper

Soup:
1 head napa cabbage, cored and cut into chunks
5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 clove garlic, crushed
1 green onion, chopped
Optional add-ins I highly recommend: 2 sliced or grated carrots, and 1.5 cups broccoli florets

DIRECTIONS:
1.
Mix the ground pork, egg, bread crumbs, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, ginger, 1 TB soy sauce, salt, and half of the chopped green onions together in a bowl. Use your hands to mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Set aside.
2.
Put chicken broth and soy sauce in large pot, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium.
3.
Use a spoon to form the meat mixture into 1 inch balls. Drop them into the boiling soup. When the last ball has been added, cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add bok choy or cabbage, additional 1 or 2 thinly sliced green onions, crushed garlic, [carrots and broccoli] and a bit more soy sauce — DON'T SKIP THE SESAME OIL, this is key to the flavor. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

The meat filling and broth would also be good for wonton soup!

**Serve over rice, or with noodles** [or not, up to you!]

Why do I do this blog?

Well, because I like easy to make, flavorful dishes with a moderate fat count, and a wide variety of them. This blog is the perfect place to bring together all of my favorites for easy access to pull up to use when it's time to make dinner.