Pork Meatballs And Cucumber Salad Food

MEATBALL SALAD

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Combine the Parmesan, ricotta, breadcrumbs, milk and egg in a medium bowl and stir well to combine and allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid. Add the pork, sausage and salt and use your hands to mix gently to combine.
• Heat a medium straight sided skillet over medium heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet. Roll heaping tablespoons of the meat mixture into balls and place in the hot oil. Add as many as the skillet will allow without overcrowding, working in two batches if needed. Brown the balls on all sides, rotating as needed, about 8 minutes. Remove the balls to a plate and pour off the oil from the skillet. Add the marinara and 1/4 cup water to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Return the balls to the sauce and cover the skillet. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, toss together the arugula, Parmesan shavings, olive oil and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
• Spoon 5 or 6 meatballs into a bowl, then top with some of the salad and serve. Repeat to make 4 more servings.

PORK MEATBALLS WITH BULGUR SALAD, FETA & MINT

Steps:

• Mix the grated carrot and onion with the pork, half of the oregano and plenty of black pepper. Shape into 16 large meatballs. Heat the oil in a large deep non-stick frying pan and fry the meatballs for about 5-8 mins, turning occasionally until firm and starting to colour. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Tip the chopped onion into the pan and fry over a medium heat until starting to soften, about 5 mins. Stir in the garlic, then add the tomatoes along with the tomato purée, a can of water, the bouillon powder and remaining oregano. Cook over a low heat, covered, for 15 mins, then add the meatballs. Cover and simmer for a further 10 mins
• Meanwhile, boil the bulgur for 15-20 mins until tender, then drain. Tip into a bowl and stir in the lemon zest and 2-3 tbsp juice, the red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, olives and chopped mint. Pile half onto two plates and top with half the meatballs and sauce. Scatter over the mint leaves and half the feta. Chill the rest for another night. Will keep chilled for up to three days. Reheat the meatballs over a low heat until piping hot, then serve with the salad. If frozen, leave to defrost fully and reheat gently until piping hot.

ASIAN STEAMED PORK MEATBALLS, SESAME NOODLES & SALAD

Steps:

• Meatballs -- Combine the pork, mushrooms, scallions, garlic, rice cooking wine, hoisin sauce, salt & pepper. Mix everything together and then form meatballs. I make mine about golf ball size. TIP: After making them, I like to put them on a sheet on parchment and then put in the freezer for just 10 minutes as I start the noodles. This just helps when I go to saute them. It is optional, but does help.
• Noodles -- As the meatballs cool off, make the oriental noodles. Now if your grocer doesn't have oriental noodles in the Asian or Oriental Section, use spaghetti. Cook accordingly to the directions. Drain and add to a serving bowl.
• Mix the soy sauce, scallions, garlic, red pepper flakes, sesame oil and vegetable and pour over the noodles and toss. Cover and refrigerate. Sometimes before serving, I like to garnish with just a little sesame oil and peanuts if you want, but sometimes I don't. I like the simple flavors. but go easy, the sesame oil is very strong.
• Dipping Sauce -- Meatballs are almost ready, but make a quick 1 minute dipping sauce for them. Mix the soy, hoisin and lime. That is it. Just set it in a bowl to the side.
• Now -- Dipping sauce is done -- sesame noodles are done and chilling, meatballs are chilled and ready to cook. As they cook we will put a 5 minute salad together and dinner is served.
• Meatballs -- In non stick pan heat up the oil to medium high and add the meatballs. Just a few seconds on each side to get a little golden, but remember, we aren't trying to cook them, just a light sear is all. Not too long, maybe 2 minutes total is all you need. Then add the chicken broth and cover and let them simmer and steam on medium low to low. Should take about 10 minutes. Don't over crowd the pan by stacking the meatballs, but a big enough pan should work just fine. DON'T peak either.
• Salad -- Now the easy part. As the meatballs steam. Do a quick salad on the side. Slice up some Napa cabbage and add to a serving bowl, add a can of sliced water chestnuts, a can of mandarine oranges and thin slice a small red onion, and about 1/2 of a seedless cucumber, skin on is fine. Just toss and then serve with a quality sesame dressing. I don't like many bottled dressing but there are a few out there that are really pretty good. Make it easy on yourself. You can always add mushrooms, red peppers, or any other vegetables you like but I like it really simple for this salad.
• Now 3 courses and just 30-40 minutes.