WHB: Vietnamese Meatballs, With Lettuce Wraps (Mint)

Yes, it's another recipe for meatballs.  Frankly, I never get tired of them and would eat them everyday, if I could.  The recipe comes from Food and Wine, for small hors d'oeuvre meatballs resting on lettuce cups, and dipped in sweet Asian chili sauce. Reading that, I immediately thought it foolish to wait until I threw a party.  So I made my meatballs bigger, placed them on red leaf lettuce, and served them for dinner.  There are many things to like about these tasty orbs.  Besides being quick to make and low in fat, they're fun to eat.  I always like wrapping food up in a crepe, tortilla, or lettuce leaf and popping it into my mouth.

The meatballs contain cilantro and mint. Cilantro haters can omit it and just use the mint, or add some basil.  I'm a great fan of mint used in savory dishes.  If you've only had it in desserts, you'll be amazed at how it adds a unique taste, different from when it's used in sweets  This recipe was made in honor of Weekend Herb Blogging, which was founded by the marvelous Kalyn at Kalyn's Kitchen.    WHB is being hosted this week by the lovely Anna at Anna's Cool Finds.  Stop by her blog and see a recap of all the wonderful herby recipes from bloggers around the world.
 

The recipe has an unusual step where you roll the meatballs in granulated sugar before you bake them.  I no longer do this step, because I didn't think it made the meatballs taste any better than if you omit the sugar.  The meat mixture tastes even better if it sits in the fridge overnight, so making it in advance is recommended.


Vietnamese Meatballs With Lettuce Wraps

(Adapted from Food & Wine)

Note:  The following recipe is for making smaller sized meatballs.   I served these for dinner and made my meatballs larger.  Use your own judgement on how big you want them.  Also, rolling the meatballs in sugar is optional--I don't do it.

ingredients
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
3 small shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1teaspoon minced ginger root
1 stalk of fresh lemongrass, tender white inner bulb only, minced
3 heaping tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus 1/3 cup leaves for serving
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint, plus 1/3 cup leaves for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup granulated sugar (optional--I leave out this step)
1 head Boston or red leaf lettuce, leaves separated
1 small seedless cucumber—peeled, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1 small red onion, halved and sliced or use radishes
Asian chili sauce, for serving

directions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Position a rack in the top third of the oven. In a food processor, pulse the chicken until coarsely ground; transfer to a bowl. Add the fish sauce, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chopped cilantro and mint, cornstarch, salt and pepper and mix with your hands.  I advise making a small test meatball, cooked in a skillet or microwave, to adjust seasonings, if you like.

Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the sugar on a plate. Using slightly moistened hands, roll the chicken mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll the meatballs in the sugar until they are evenly coated. Transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking sheet and bake them for 15 minutes, until they are lightly browned and cooked through.

Meanwhile, arrange the lettuce, cilantro and mint leaves, cucumber and onion on a platter. Transfer the meatballs to the platter and serve with chili sauce.

Comments

[Lydia]

This will be a wonderful dish to make with fresh mint from the garden. I love meatballs, too, and lately I've been collecting all kinds of turkey meatball ideas. I'll add this one to my collection.

[Amy]

I've just come across your blog. The food looks amazing and it is so well written. Lovely.

Amy xxx

[Peter]

Pretty offerings for a party, Sher.

I always look for new and off the beat hors d'oevres like these at parties.

[cakewardrobe]

Lovely presentation! You solved my lunch menu for today :) Thank you!

[Kalyn]

OMG, can I come to your house for dinner? This sounds amazing. Of course I want the cilantro in mine, and mint + cilantro is one of my favorite combinations with Asian food. Just delicious!

[Julie]

These look fantastic. I so agree with you about mint as a savory flavoring. In the last couple of years it's become one of my favorites and it livens things up more than any herb I can think of.

[Kevin]

These meatballs look really good. Great idea with the lettuce wraps. I like the cilantro and mint in the meatballs. They sound really tasty.

[Butta Buns]

That's the best thing I've ever seen! I think I'll make this for our Pats Super Bowl party next weekend.

[Cindy]

It makes a perfect party finger food!

[shelley]

What a lovely post to return to! Meatballs are so cliche, but they are always the first to disappear at a party.

Dave just made meatloaf last night, and the leftovers are becoming- you guessed it- meatballs!

[katie]

I love 'Asian' meatballs. I never think to do these cute little lettuce wraps though... Great idea!

[Kaman]

wow so simple and looks so delicious! I need to try this! DO they sell lemongrass at regualr supermarkets?

[Anna Haight]

It's most definitely raining here too Sher! This looks SO good! I agree on leaving out the sugar, can't see what purpose it serves (maybe browning?). Thanks for participating in WHB on my watch.

[cakewardrobe]

Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I made it for lunch today - and loved it so much that I made it again for the next week! The second part is sitting in the fridge marinating. It's so easy and delicious!

[peabody]

I just had a party. Wish I would have seen these beforehand, they would have been great.

[eva de guzman]

looks so good and delicious! i wish you do more recipe which is inviting like this.

[Laurie Constantino]

These looks so wonderful. They're the second Vietnamese recipe I've read in a row that sound incredibly tasty. I think the universe is trying to tell me something!

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Please could I come for lunch or dinner Sher. These are totally beautiful.

[anne]

I have never used mint in savory dishes, feeling leery about any sweetness it might impart. However, I trust your words - I will try some savory dishes with mint! Thanks, Sher.

Lovely photos, for sure, even if I don't eat meat. Your photos generally make me wish I did!

[Kittie]

These look and sound lush - and fantastic photographs as usual!

[Melly]

I love mint in savory as well..but then, I love Greek food and so there ya go! I have not tried to make Viet meatballs..but I will now. I love S. Viet pho's with mint, basil, lime, and sprouts on the side for.. adding to.

You really do a fabulous job on this blog. It is soooo great.

[AussieLiz]

I can't believe that people don't use mint with savoury dishes - in Australia it would be most unusual to use it in sweet things. Hasn't anyone heard of roast lamb and mint sauce? The meatballs were great and as good as at our favourite Vietnamese restaurant. Thanks for the recipe. (I've just worked out that Cilantro is Coriander.