Nem Nướng - Vietnamese Grilled Pork Meatballs

Nem Nướng

This dish is very tasty and easy to make.  You can put it in a freezer and eat it slowly. :D  You can buy the "spices for grilled pork meatball" and follow the directions on the bag.  Or, you can follow the recipe below.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground pork (ground 2-3 times)
• 1/2 lb ground pork fat
• 3 TBSP fish sauce (3 crabs brand - 3 con cua)
• 4 TBSP sugar
• 4 TBSP water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 TBSP potato starch or corn starch
• 1 bag of Alsa baking powder (do not use other baking powder)
• 1 head garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 2 oz roasted rice powder
• red food coloring

Directions:

1) In a small bowl, add the fish sauce, sugar, corn starch (or potata starch), garlic powder, water, baking powder, pepper and few drops of red food coloring together.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
2) In a large bowl, add the ground pork, ground pork fat, minced garlic, and roasted rice powder.  Use your hands (I wear gloves) to knead the mixture until all the ingredients are combined.
3) Pour the mixture from a small bowl into a large bowl.  Use your hand to knead the mixture until the ingredients are combined.
4) Cover the meat mixture and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (or put it in a freezer until you want to cook them).
5)Rub a very small amount of water into the palm of your hands so that the meat does not stick to it. Roll the meat into a small ball and put through a skewer or just keep it like that(see picture)

6)Grill the meatballs on the BBQ or bake them in the oven at 350 F for 15-20 minutes or until it's golden (depend on the size of a meatball).  

Cooked meatballs