Recipes: Cantonese Spiced Pork Meatball and Watercress Soup

CANTONESE SPICED PORK MEATBALL AND WATERCRESS SOUP

Serves 6.

Note: Ground chicken (especially dark meat) works well as a substitute for the pork. You will need to partially cook the rice before starting the soup. From "From the Ground Up," by James Villas.

• 2 tbsp. peanut oil

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 2 quarts beef broth

• 1 tsp. ground allspice

• 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg

• 11/2 lb. ground lean pork (see Note)

• 1/2 c. half-way cooked long-grain rice (see Note)

• 1 egg, beaten

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In large saucepan or pot, warm oil over moderate heat, add onion and garlic and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth, tomato purée, allspice and nutmeg; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine pork, partially cooked rice, egg, watercress, salt and pepper in large bowl, mix thoroughly with your hands until well blended and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture is fluffy. To shape meatballs, roll mixture into balls about 1/2 inch in diameter.

Drop meatballs into the simmering broth and stir gently to keep them from sticking to one another. Cover pan and simmer soup about 30 minutes longer. Serve piping hot in wide soup bowls.

Calories323Fat19 gSodium1,326 mgSaturated fat6 g

Carbohydrates8 gCalcium42 mg

Protein29 gCholesterol100 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 bread/starch, 4 medium-fat meat.

SPICED CHICKEN AND HAM SPREAD

Note: This is a classic way to use up either chicken or ham leftovers. Here they are combined. Adapted slightly from "From the Ground Up," by James Villas.

• 1 c. coarsely chopped cooked chicken

• 1 c. coarsely chopped cooked ham

• 1 tbsp. minced sweet pickle

• 1 tbsp. grated lemon zest

• 1/8 tsp. grated nutmeg

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Tabasco sauce to taste

Directions

Run chicken and ham through the meat grinder or food processor.

Nutrition information per 2 tablespoons:

Calories46Fat3 gSodium134 mgSaturated fat2 g

Carbohydrates0 gCalcium3 mg

Protein4 gCholesterol16 mgDietary fiber0 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 medium-fat meat.

Serves 4 as an appetizer.

Kefta are oblong ground-lamb patties on skewers. You could also make them into patties for the grill. From "Let the Flames Begin," by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby.

• 1 lb. finely ground lamb

• 1/2 red onion, peeled and grated

• 1/3 c. roughly chopped fresh parsley

• 1/2 tbsp. ground cumin

• Pinch of cinnamon

• 2 tbsp. paprika

• Dash of red pepper flakes

• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

In a large bowl combine the lamb, onion, parsley, bread, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Wet your hands with water, then mix the ingredients together very well with your hands (wet them periodically so the meat doesn't stick to them), until the mixture has a uniform, almost silken consistency. Don't skimp on the mixing -- getting the right consistency is key. As you knead, the fat will disappear into the meat and eventually the mixture will have a consistency almost like wet bread dough: smooth and somewhat shiny and a little tacky. Divide this mixture into 8 to 12 portions, then either form each portion into an oblong sausage shape around a flat-sided skewer or shape it into a small patty.

Prepare the grill.

Place the kefta skewers or patties on the grill and cook until they are just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. (To check for doneness, cut into one and peek to be sure it is done the way you like it; the authors recommend that the meat be just barely pink inside.)

Remove from the grill and serve hot or at room temperature with pita bread and yogurt.

Calories262Fat17 gSodium110 mgSaturated fat7 g

Carbohydrates9 gCalcium56 mg

Protein19 gCholesterol72 mgDietary fiber2 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 other carb, 3 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat.

COUNTRY HASH

Note: For hash, you will want to develop a nice crust on the bottom. Then it is broken up and the bottom is browned again. A well-seasoned cast iron pan works well; a nonstick skillet also can be used. Precooking the potatoes and then chilling them yields the best texture and prevents the potatoes from breaking up during cooking. From "The Yellow Farmhouse Cookbook," by Christopher Kimball.

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1/2 c. diced red bell pepper

• 2 c. ground (or diced) cooked roast beef, turkey, ham, lamb or corned beef

• 1 c. chicken stock, divided

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 2 tsp. minced fresh thyme, or 2 tsp. dried

Directions

Heat a 12-inch nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron pan over medium heat. (A cast iron skillet of this size will take a few minutes to heat up.) Add oil and butter and, when the foam subsides, add the onion and diced pepper.

Toss to coat with the oil/butter mixture and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent and just starting to brown. Add potatoes and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the potatoes are lightly browned.

Add the meat, 1/2 cup chicken stock, salt, pepper to taste, thyme and 2 tablespoons parsley. Stir to combine.

Cook without stirring for about 7 minutes or until the bottom of hash is browned and has a crust. Break up the hash, mixing the crust back into the meat-potato mixture; repeat twice as crust forms on the bottom. Add additional stock 1/4 cup at a time as the mixture starts to dry. After the last crust is formed, taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary. Allow a final crust to form on the bottom, sprinkle with remaining parsley, and serve in wedges with poached eggs, if desired.

Calories227Fat11 gSodium270 mgSaturated fat4 gCarbohydrates17 gCalcium31 mg

Protein14 gCholesterol47 mgDietary fiber2 g