Lion's Head Meatballs

Lion's Head Meatballs

A traditional Chinese dish, Lion’s Head Meatballs are often eaten during celebrations, but they’re easy enough to prepare on a regular weeknight too. Pork meatballs, infused with ginger, scallion, and sesame oil, become fluffy, light, and tender when they’re gently steamed in this flavorful broth.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

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Product Size

  • Small Dish
  • Medium Shallow
  • Large Shallow
  • Medium Deep
  • Large Deep

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

7-9 mins

Free Time

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Ingredients

  • 6 oz (170g) ground pork
  • teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon ginger, finely chopped or grated
  • ½ scallion, finely chopped
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 ½ tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • ½  tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½  tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • ½  tablespoon oyster sauce
  • teaspoon five spice powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup (50g) canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) chicken stock
  • 1 bok choy, cut into large pieces

Preparation

  1. In a bowl, mix together pork, sesame oil, ginger, scallion, eggs, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, five spice powder, cornstarch, and water chestnuts. Mix until fully incorporated. 
  2. Divide mixture into 4-5 even portions and roll between your palms into a ball shape. Set the meatballs aside.
  3. Place the chicken stock in the Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until the stock is very hot.
  4. Add the meatballs and bok choy. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • If you’d like some more flavor, add soaked salted bamboo shoots into the stock and remove before adding the meatballs.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.