Sandpot Casserole of Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Meatballs

Name: Sandpot Casserole of Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Meatballs
Yield: Serves 3 to 4 as a main course, 5 to 6 as part of a multicourse meal
Cuisine: China
Ingredients: 2 cups China Moon Infusion, China Moon Double Stock, or unsalted chicken stock; 2½ tablespoons mushroom soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Serrano-Lemongrass Vinegar or unseasoned Japanese rice vinegar; ½ cup finely diced fresh water chestnuts; 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold stock or water; 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar; 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green and white scallion rings; ¼ teaspoon dried red chili-flakes; Scant 1 tablespoon Chinese black beans, coarsely chopped (do not rinse them); 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Oil; Several twists of black pepper; Infused Glass Noodles; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger; ¼ pound Napa cabbage, cut into 1-inch squares; 1 red (bell) pepper, cut into ¾-inch squares; ¼ pound wild or domestic mushrooms, trimmed and cut, if large; 1½ tablespoons finely chopped Chinese chives; 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry; 1 package enoki mushrooms, spongy base removed; 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic; 1 pound coarsely ground pork butt; 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic; ¼ pound spinach leaves; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 1 carrot, diagonally cut into rippled or plain coins ⅛ inch thick; 1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce; 1 small yellow onion, cut into ¾-inch squares; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 to 3 tablespoons corn or peanut oil, for stir-frying

Preparation info

Serves
3 to 4
as a main course

Difficulty
Complex

Appears in

China Moon Cookbook

By Barbara Tropp

Published 1992

About

A homey stew of pork meatballs, glass noodles, and simple vegetables in a piquant sauce, this is a very appealing supper at any time of year. The selection of vegetables can include virtually anything in season—fava beans, freshly shucked corn, Oven-Dried Plum Tomatoes, and ruby chard or asparagus nuggets would all be yummy.

To make life easy, you can poach the meatballs and prepare the other ingredients a full day ahead and then simmer the cassero

Ingredients

Asia
China
Spicy

Ingredients

Method