Asian Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

The sweet peanut sauce is a perfect accompaniment to these savory bites

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil, for sauce		1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Thai red curry paste, for sauce		1 tbsp Thai fish sauce
2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter, for sauce		1 tsp minced tender lemongrass
1 tbsp light brown sugar, for sauce		1 large egg
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, for sauce		1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup well-stirred canned coconut milk, for sauce		salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb ground sirloin or pork, or both		rice flour, for dusting
1 tbsp chopped cilantro		vegetable oil, for deep frying
1 tbsp Thai red curry paste		lime wedges, for garnish

Prep: 15 min Total: 45 min

Try Kitchen View! Take your computer to the kitchen and view this recipe full-screen, with step-by-step directions.

1
To make the peanut sauce, heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the curry paste and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the peanut butter, brown sugar, and lemon juice, then gradually stir in the coconut milk. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened. If it becomes too thick, stir in a little water. Keep warm.
2
For the meatballs, combine the ground beef, cilantro, curry paste, lemon juice, fish sauce, lemongrass, egg, and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Roll the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut. Dust each meatball with the rice flour.
3
Heat enough oil to come halfway up the sides of a large frying pan and heat over high heat until the oil shimmers. In batches, fry the meatballs for about 3 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Serve hot, with the warm peanut sauce and lime wedges.

Chime In