Sixi meatballs, as a Chinese dish rich in traditional charm, not only have bright color and delicious taste, but also imply the four auspicious meanings of blessing, lu, longevity and happiness, and are indispensable dishes in festival celebrations. Today, let's discuss how to make this four-happiness balls with good color and flavor.
First of all, the main ingredients we need to prepare are pork filling, fresh shrimp, eggs, onions, ginger and garlic and other seasonings, as well as an appropriate amount of flour and starch. When choosing pork filling, it is recommended to choose fatty and lean pork belly, so that the Sixi meatballs will have a more tender and juicy taste. The addition of fresh shrimp not only enhances the umami of the meatballs, but also adds a freshness to the seafood.
Next, we put the minced pork and fresh shrimp into a bowl, add the green onion, ginger and garlic, salt, cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and other seasonings, and stir well. When stirring, you can add some water in an appropriate amount to make the meat filling more tender. In addition, in order to increase the gluten of the meatballs, you can add a little starch and flour, but be careful not to overdo it, so as not to affect the taste.
Once the filling is ready, we can start making the meatballs. Divide the mixed minced meat into several portions, about 50 grams each. Then, use your hands to form a round shape of the minced meat, taking care to squeeze it while doughing to make the meatballs firmer. To make the meatballs more aesthetically pleasing, you can apply a thin layer of egg wash on the surface of the meatballs and sprinkle some white or black sesame seeds.
Once the meatballs are made, we can start cooking. First of all, heat the pot, pour in an appropriate amount of cooking oil, and when the oil temperature is 60% hot, put the meatballs in the pan and fry them. When frying, use medium-low heat to avoid scorching on the surface of the meatballs and undercooked inside. After frying the meatballs until the surface of the balls is golden brown and set, remove and drain the oil for later use.
Next, we need to prepare the soup stock for the four happy meatballs. Pour out the oil in the pot, add an appropriate amount of water, add spices such as green onion, ginger and garlic slices, star anise, cinnamon, etc., and then add an appropriate amount of salt, chicken essence, cooking wine, light soy sauce and other seasonings, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, put the fried meatballs in a pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. In order to make the meatballs more flavorful, you can add some rock sugar and dark soy sauce in moderation to increase the color and flavor of the soup.
In the process of stewing, we need to pay attention to the mastery of the heat. If the heat is too large, the meatballs are easy to boil; If the heat is too low, it will affect the texture and taste of the meatballs. Therefore, we need to always observe the situation in the pot and adjust the heat in time.
After about 40 minutes of stewing, the Sixi meatballs have fully absorbed the flavor of the soup stock, becoming soft and juicy, and full of aroma. At this time, we can take out the meatballs and put them on a plate, then filter out the spice residue in the soup in the pot and pour it on the meatballs.
Finally, in order to increase the taste and nutritional value of Sixi meatballs, we can also eat them with some seasonal vegetables or mushrooms. For example, vegetables such as broccoli and carrots can be cut into florets or slices and stewed with Sixi meatballs. Or slice mushrooms, enoki mushrooms and other mushroom ingredients and stir-fry them with meatballs. This combination not only makes the taste richer and more diverse, but also provides a variety of nutrients for the body.
In short, as a traditional Chinese dish, Sixi Balls are not only delicious and nutritious, but also imply auspiciousness. Making this dish during a festive celebration will not only add to the festive atmosphere and festivity, but also bring good wishes and hearts to family and friends.