Porcupine Balls

Called either pearl balls or porcupine balls, these Chinese appetizers (or dim sum delights) are amusing—and incredibly tasty and fun—finger foods: when the balls are steamed, the pearly grains of soaked rice swell and look like the quills of a porcupine. The meatball is a savory mix of pork, garlic, ginger, green onions, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and Chinese black mushrooms, with the added crunch of diced water chestnuts. If you make meatballs often, or need a small scoop to portion c