Pork Balls in Clear Soup

Minced or ground pork is used in many ways in Chinese cuisine. Here it is mixed with cloud ears and flavourings, then formed into tiny balls to be cooked in soup. Minced pork from the supermarket is not ideal, as it will not have the correct ratio of fat to lean meat that gives the best flavour and succulence. For an authentic soup, it is best to make your own mince for the pork balls, using one-third fatty pork belly and two-thirds shoulder meat.