Thai Pork and Mushroom Meatballs

Get ready to savor a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures with this delectable recipe for Mushroom and Pork Meatballs. These savory bites combine the earthiness of mushrooms, the richness of pork mince, and the aromatic essence of red curry paste to create a culinary masterpiece that’s both satisfying and irresistible. The addition of coriander paste and a hint of spiciness elevates these meatballs to a whole new level. Serve them nestled in crisp lettuce leaves, drizzled with sweet chili sauce, and accompanied by zesty lime wedges for a dish that’s not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for your senses.

COOK 30 MINS

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 400g button, cup, or flat mushrooms
• 3 green onions, roughly chopped
• 3 tbs vegetable oil
• 2 tbs coriander paste or lightly dried coriander
• 400g pork mince
• 2 tbs red curry paste
• 1 egg
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for cooking
• Iceberg lettuce, sweet chili sauce, and lime wedges, to serve

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Finely chop mushrooms by hand or pulse in a food processor. Add chopped green onions to mushroom mixture.
2. Heat 1 tbs oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add mushroom mixture and cook, stirring often, for 8 minutes or until all moisture has evaporated. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Drain any excess moisture and transfer mushrooms to a bowl. Wipe pan clean.
3. Add coriander paste to the mushrooms with the mince, curry paste, egg, and breadcrumbs, mix until well combined.
4. Shape into balls with damp hands. Place onto a tray, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour if time permits (this helps hold meatballs together when cooking).
5. Heat remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches for 8-10 minutes, shaking the pan often or until just cooked through.
6. Serve with lettuce leaves, sweet chili sauce, and lime wedges.

TIPS AND HINTS:

• For a delightful twist, use a combination of different mushroom varieties like button, cup, and flat mushrooms to enhance the depth of flavor and texture in the meatballs.
• Ensure the mushrooms are finely chopped or processed to create a consistent texture in the meatball mixture.
• Letting the cooked mushroom mixture cool before mixing it with the other ingredients helps prevent the excess moisture from affecting the texture of the meatballs.
• If time permits, refrigerate the shaped meatballs for an hour before cooking. This step aids in holding the meatballs together during the cooking process.
• Use damp hands when shaping the meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
• Shake the pan while cooking the meatballs to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
• Opt for iceberg lettuce leaves to provide a refreshing and crunchy contrast to the savory meatballs.
• The sweet chili sauce and lime wedges complement the meatballs perfectly by adding a balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Experience the dynamic flavors and textures of these Mushroom and Pork Meatballs – a dish that effortlessly combines the warmth of spices with the freshness of lettuce and zingy lime, making it a memorable culinary experience.