A lighter twist on the classic Shanghai comfort dish. By baking or air-frying instead of deep-frying, these meatballs stay juicy and fluffy without the grease. Braised with sweet Napa cabbage to absorb the rich broth, it is a wholesome meal for the whole family.
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Ingredients
Meatball Base
- 500 g minced pork
- 100 g firm tofu
- 100 g canned waterchestnut
- 40 g onion
- 2 pcs egg
Seasoning
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp chicken powder
The Braise
- 200 g Napa cabbage
- 400 ml chicken broth
Instructions
- Prep: Finely dice the water chestnuts and onions. Wash the Napa cabbage. Drain and mash the firm tofu.
- Mix Meat: Combine ground pork with all "Marinade" ingredients. Stir in one direction and throw the meat against the bowl until the mixture becomes sticky (to develop texture).
- Combine: Add the diced water chestnuts, onions, and eggs to the meat paste. Mix until fully combined.
- Shape: Divide the mixture into 10-14 equal portions and form them into round meatballs.
- Bake to Set: Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place meatballs on top, and spray with oil. Bake for 20 minutes until browned and set. (See Notes for Air Fryer method).
- Prep Pot: While meatballs bake, place Napa cabbage in a pot and pour in chicken broth.
- Braise: When meatballs are done baking, place them on top of the cabbage. Cover the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Finish: Turn off heat. Keep covered and let it steam for another 5 minutes to ensure meatballs are fully cooked and juicy. Serve hot.
Notes
1. Health Tip: Spraying oil and baking at high heat replaces deep-frying. It browns the meat and sets the shape with significantly less fat.
2. Air Fryer Method: Set to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 15 minutes.
3. Cooking Logic: The meatballs don't need to be 100% cooked after the oven step. They will finish cooking in the steam of the pot, which keeps them soft and moist rather than dry.
very healthy