This is a great dish to use up any leftover meat stuffing from making wontons. Not only does it look fabulous, it tastes really delicious and its so quick and simple to make!
PREPARATION FOR STEAMED MEATBALLS IN CHILLI OIL (Active Time: 25 min, Total Time: 50 min) [Skip preparation steps 1-10 if you are using leftover meat stuffing]
Soak the wooden fungus for about 20 minutes until it expands and becomes soft.
Mince the pork coarsely and put into a bowl.
Marinate the pork with the marinade ingredients for about 15 minutes.
Wash the water chestnut, using a brush to remove the mud. Remove the skin with a peeler. Then cut the water chestnut into small cubes.
Wash, shell and devein 15 prawns. Then cut into 3 pieces each. See my video on how to devein prawns here.
Wash and cut the spring onion into small pieces.
Wash the wooden fungus thoroughly to remove the sand in between the grooves and cut into small squares.
Add the water chestnut, wooden fungus, chopped prawns and spring onion to the pork and mix well.
Crack an egg into the pork mixture, then mix well until incorporated.
Leave the pork mixture in the fridge for 1/2 hour.
Wash, devein and butterfly the remaining 12 prawns. Remove the shell but leave the shell on the tail section on.
COOKING METHOD FOR STEAMED MEATBALLS IN CHILLI OIL (20 min)
Scoop the meat mixture into 12 large sauce plates (about 2 TBsp) and shape into a mound.
Place a butterflied prawn on top of each meatball and fasten with a toothpick.
Steam over high heat for about 10-12 minutes, ensuring that there is sufficient water to steam the meatballs thoroughly.
Remove from heat, add the chilli oil and garnish with fresh coriander.
Notes
To ensure the prawn does not curl up after steaming, you need to make several slit across the abdomen side of the prawn about 1cm apart.
Then make a deep cut at the back of the prawn lengthwise but without cutting through it.