Lions Head Casserole Food

LION'S HEAD CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Fill a big pot with chicken stock, add water and bring to low boil and simmer.
• Add the cabbage.
• While you get that going, start making the meatballs.
• Squeeze out excess water from the mushrooms, mince and set aside, make sure to save the soaking water to add flavor to the soup later!
• Mix the ground pork with the egg, minced mushrooms, oyster sauce, tofu, salt, pepper, ginger, green onions, cornstarch, and 2 Tbs soy sauce, 2 tsp cooking wine, plus minced dried shrimp if using. (make sure you mince it finely before adding).
• Mix throughly, using a spoon to help, make meatballs and place into pot on top of the cabbage. Add brown sugar and left over 2 Tbs soy sauce to soup. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours or longer for tender meatballs. Before serving taste and adjust seasonings of soup by adding more salt or soy sauce or pepper.

SHIH TZU TOU ( LION'S HEAD CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Cover mushrooms with boiling hot water in a small bowl and let stand 30 minutes, then squeeze excess water from mushrooms and reserve 1 cup mushroom-soaking liquid.
• Discard mushroom stems and cut caps into very thin slices.
• Meanwhile, mix together pork,scallions,water chestnuts,rice wine,sesame oil, sugar, 1 tablespoon ginger,1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands.
• Gather together pork mixture and throw against bottom or side of bowl 5 or 6 times to firm texture, then chill, covered, until ready to use.
• Remove and reserve 4 large cabbage leaves.
• Halve cabbage head lengthwise, then cut out and discard core.
• Cut cabbage leaves crosswise into 2 inch pieces.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly; swirl 2 tablespoons oil to coat bottom and sides of wok, then stir-fry mushrooms, half of cabbage, and remaining tablespoon of ginger until cabbage begins to wilt,about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add remaining cabbage and 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir-fry until all of cabbage has begun to wilt, about 3 minutes.
• Add reserved soaking liquid (1 cup) and continue stir-frying until cabbage is wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a 4 to 5 quart heavy pot, arranging evenly on bottom; wipe wok clean with paper towels.
• Stir together cornstarch, pepper, and remaining soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
• Divide pork mixture into quarters, then coat your hands with some of cornstarch/soy sauce mixture.
• Form 4 large meatballs, transfering each as formed to a large plate and then recoating your hands.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly, then pour in remaining oil, enough to measure a scant 1/4 inch in wok.
• Reduce heat to moderately high and gently arrange meatballs in wok.
• Fry meatballs, turning gently until deep golden on all sides, about 5 minutes total; if meatballs stick, add a little more oil.
• Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then arrange on top of cabbage in pot.
• Add broth, then cover meatballs completely with reserved 4 cabbage leaves.
• Bring liquid just to boil, then reduce heat and gently simmer, covered, 1 hour; check frequently to make sure liquid is not boiling vigorously.
• Season broth with salt, then move large cabbage leaves around the edge of pot to resemble a lion's mane.
• Serve in individual shallow bowls over rice, if desired.

LION'S HEAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the pork, soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch with a chopstick. Form into large meatballs. On a small plate, sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch and roll the meatballs in the cornstarch.
• In a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil. Brown the meatballs in hot wok until deep golden brown. Remove from the wok. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
• Wipe the wok or skillet clean with a paper towel. Return the wok to high heat and cook cabbage until just wilted.
• Place the cooked cabbage on the bottom of a large soup pot or casserole dish. Add the meatballs and broth. Cover and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir and serve warm.

LION'S HEAD CASSEROLE (SHIH TZU TOU)

Steps:

• Cover mushrooms with boiling-hot water (2 cups) in a bowl and let stand 30 minutes, then squeeze excess water from mushrooms and reserve 1 cup mushroom-soaking liquid (discard remainder or reserve for another use). Discard mushroom stems and cut caps into very thin slices.
• Meanwhile, mix together pork, scallions, water chestnuts, rice wine, sesame oil, sugar, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands. Gather together pork mixture and throw against bottom or side of bowl 5 or 6 times to firm texture, then chill, covered, until ready to use.
• Remove and reserve 4 large cabbage leaves. Halve cabbage head lengthwise, then cut out and discard core. Cut cabbage halves crosswise into 2-inch-wide pieces.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Swirl 2 tablespoons peanut oil to coat bottom and sides of wok, then stir-fry mushrooms, half of cabbage, and remaining tablespoon ginger until cabbage begins to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining cabbage and 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir-fry until all of cabbage has begun to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add reserved soaking liquid (1 cup) and continue stir-frying until cabbage is wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a 4-quart clay pot or a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot, arranging evenly on bottom. Wipe wok clean with paper towels.
• Stir together cornstarch, pepper, and remaining tablespoon soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
• Divide pork mixture into quarters, then coat your hands with some of cornstarch mixture. Form 4 large meatballs, transferring each as formed to a large plate and then recoating your hands.
• Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly, then pour in remaining peanut oil (enough to measure a scant 1/4 inch in wok). Reduce heat to moderately high and gently arrange meatballs in wok. Fry meatballs, turning gently with tongs or a slotted spoon, until deep golden on all sides, about 5 minutes total (if meatballs stick to wok, add more oil). Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then arrange on top of cabbage in pot. Add broth, then cover meatballs completely with reserved 4 cabbage leaves. Bring liquid just to a boil, then reduce heat and gently simmer, covered, 1 hour. (Check occasionally to be sure liquid is not boiling vigorously.) Season broth with salt, then move large cabbage leaves around side of pot to resemble a lion's mane. Serve in individual shallow bowls.

CHINESE LION'S HEAD SOUP

Steps:

• Mix the ground pork, egg, cornstarch, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, ginger, monosodium glutamate, 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.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the napa cabbage, stirring constantly, until cabbage begins to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, water, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium.
• 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. Taste, and adjust salt before serving. Garnish with remaining green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil.

LION'S HEAD MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms in 2 cups hot chicken stock until partially softened, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the pork, egg whites, 3 tablespoons shao xing, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, sesame oil, 2 teaspoons salt and pepper with a wooden spoon, mixing thoroughly for about 3 minutes. Stir in the scallions and minced ginger. Form the mixture into 12 large meatballs.
• In a deep, heavy pot, add 4 inches of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 375 degrees. With a slotted spoon, gently lower 3 or 4 meatballs into the oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are deep golden brown but still raw in the center. Drain on a paper towel and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place a large, heavy casserole over low heat and add the soaked black mushrooms and their liquid, the remaining 4 cups chicken stock, the ginger threads, 6 tablespoons shao xing, wine, vinegar, sugar and 1½ teaspoons salt. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a low simmer. Cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes, until the mushrooms have completely softened and the broth is fragrant.
• Add the meatballs and return the broth to a simmer. Cover the casserole and place it in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are just cooked through. Remove the casserole from the oven and increase the heat to 450. With a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms and meatballs to a large plate or bowl.
• In a medium bowl, toss the shiitakes with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and a generous amount of salt. Transfer to a baking sheet, tops facing up, and roast until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
• When the black mushrooms are cool enough to handle, trim their stems with kitchen shears and discard. Dice the black mushroom caps into ½-inch cubes and return them to the casserole. Place the casserole over low heat, adjust the seasoning and, while stirring, gradually add the cornstarch-water mixture.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and lay the watercress into the simmering liquid, taking care to keep the stems facing the same direction and gently pushing down until the watercress is partially submerged. After a minute, as the watercress begins to wilt, use tongs to gently turn over. Cook another minute or so until just wilted. Remove from the heat.
• Arrange the watercress in warm shallow bows and distribute the meatballs and shiitakes on top. Divide the broth between the bowls, making sure to spoon some over the meatballs and shiitakes. Garnish with reserved scallions.

LION'S HEAD MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Pour boiling water over shiitake mushrooms, and let sit until soft enough to slice, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, combine chestnuts and tofu in a large bowl. Add ground pork, green onions, garlic, and ginger. Pour in rice wine, soy sauce, salt, cayenne, brown sugar, and egg. Dust with cornstarch. Mix with a clean hand until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Form mixture into 6 large meatballs with wet hands.
• Set an oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and oil lightly. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
• Broil in the preheated oven until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool while prepping the pot.
• Trim off the bottom of the head of cabbage and slice 1/2 of the head. Arrange sliced cabbage on the bottom of a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Arrange the remaining leaves on the top. Slice and scatter the mushrooms on top of the cabbage; reserve shiitake liquid. Nestle the meatballs into the cabbage leaves and pour juices over.
• Strain reserved shiitake liquid into a bowl. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk until dissolved. Add to the pot, pouring over each meatball. Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and raise heat to medium-high. Continue cooking, basting the meatballs often, until liquid reduces slightly and meatballs are no longer pink in the centers, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning.
• Ladle into serving bowls and arrange cabbage over the meatballs. Top with green onions and chili oil.