Warm Ginger Pork Meatball Bowl with Scallion Rice, Sautéed Red Cabbage, and Creamy Peanut-Lime Sauce
A complete and original lunch bowl featuring juicy ginger-garlic pork meatballs served over fragrant scallion rice with sautéed red cabbage and a creamy peanut-lime sauce. It balances texture, freshness, and a lightly toasted finish in every bite.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground pork (for the meatballs)
- 15 g fresh grated ginger (for the meatballs)
- 12 g minced garlic (divided)
- 60 g chopped scallions (partes verdes and blancas separadas)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar the meatballs)
- 40 g breadcrumbs (preferiblemente simple)
- 45 ml soy sauce (divided)
- 10 ml sesame oil (divided)
- 2 g black pepper (to taste)
- 5 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 260 g jasmine rice (enjuagado)
- 600 ml water (for cocer the arroz)
- 300 g red cabbage, thinly sliced (for saltear)
- 100 g grated carrot (for the salteado)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 80 g creamy peanut butter (for the sauce)
- 45 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 15 ml honey (for balancear the sauce)
- 45 ml warm water (for ajustar the sauce)
- 12 g toasted sesame seeds (for terminar)
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped, for servir)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F and line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a little of the vegetable oil.
- 2
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground pork, grated ginger, half of the minced garlic, the white parts of the scallions, the egg, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until combined without overworking the mixture.
- 3
3. Shape into 16 evenly sized meatballs and place them on the tray. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F until browned and fully cooked.
- 4
4. While the meatballs bake, place the jasmine rice and 600 ml water in a saucepan with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- 5
5. Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in the green parts of the scallions and 1 teaspoon sesame oil to perfume it.
- 6
6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add the red cabbage and grated carrot, then stir in the remaining minced garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté for 4 to 6 minutes until the cabbage is tender but still slightly crisp.
- 7
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, honey, the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce, and the warm water until you have a creamy pourable sauce.
- 8
8. Check the meatballs once they come out of the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes so they stay juicy.
- 9
9. Divide the scallion rice among 4 bowls. Add the sautéed red cabbage, top with the pork meatballs, and spoon over the creamy peanut-lime sauce.
- 10
10. Finish each bowl with toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while everything is warm.
Chef tips
For extra contrast, add a few more drops of lime just before serving. For deeper color on the meatballs, you can switch on the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely so they do not burn.
Substitutions
You can substitute the pork with ground chicken or ground turkey. The peanut butter can be replaced with tahini if you need to avoid peanuts, though the final flavor will be different. Jasmine rice can be swapped for basmati rice.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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