Pearl Meatballs (Zhen Zhu Wan Zi)

珍珠丸子

Pearl Meatballs (Zhen Zhu Wan Zi) — a Chinese recipe made with ground pork, ready in about 45 minutes. Step-by-step instructions with photos.

Ingredients

• ground pork (20% fat)
• glutinous rice
• ginger
• scallion
• light soy sauce
• white pepper

Instructions

1. Mix pork, ginger, scallion, light soy sauce, white pepper, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Chop mixture vigorously with knife 50 strokes — do not use food processor (texture turns pasty).
2. Roll meat mixture into 2.5 cm balls. Roll each ball in drained glutinous rice until fully coated — press gently so rice adheres firmly.
3. Arrange rice-coated balls on oiled steamer rack, leaving 2 cm space between. Let rest 10 minutes so rice hydrates slightly.
4. Steam over high heat for 20 minutes. Turn off heat; let rest covered 5 minutes before serving — this prevents rice from cracking.
5. Serve hot, garnished with extra scallion greens. Optional: drizzle with 1 tsp light soy sauce and ½ tsp sesame oil.