What You’ll Need:
For the Meatballs
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced
- Olive oil, for frying
- 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 500 g (about 1 lb) ground beef
- 75 g fresh breadcrumbs
- 3–4 tbsp milk
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1–2 tsp dried chili flakes, to taste
- 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed, bashed and cut into batons
- 2 in piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
- 400 ml chicken stock
- 1 x 400 ml tin coconut milk
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
On the Side
- Jasmine rice cooked according to directions.
What You’ll Do:
- First prepare the meatballs. Sauté the onion and garlic with seasoning in a hot oiled frying pan for about 5 minutes until soft and lightly colored, adding the chili flakes after a minute or two.
- Place the mince in a large bowl and add seasoning. Put the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and moisten with the milk. Add seasoning, then stir the breadcrumbs and onion mixture into the mince and combine well.
- With wet hands, shape the mince mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Transfer to a lightly greased plate or tray and chill for 30 minutes until firm.
- Brown the meatballs in a cleaned oiled pan for 4–5 minutes, turning frequently until nicely coloured on all sides.
- Add the coriander seeds, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, chili flakes, lemongrass and ginger. Heat through, stirring, until aromatic, then add the stock and coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
- Simmer for 8–12 minutes until the sauce is flavorful and thickened and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Add the lime zest and juice and serve hot with a side of Jasmine rice.
This amazing recipe is perfectly paired with InterCoastal Vineyard’s incredible new 2019 Pinot Grigio, just released a few weeks ago. This new exciting wine is like no other Pinot Grigio I have ever tasted. Its subtle hint of citrus pops with every sip and compliments this meal so beautifully. This Pinot Grigio is not yet on InterCoastal’s website, but if you would like to order a few bottles (believe me, you will want AT LEAST a few) contact Rachele Spaletta (my fabulous sis) — rachele@intercoastalwine.com.