Spicy Pork Meatballs Lettuce Cups
1 large egg plus 1 egg white
1 ½ pounds ground pork
4 scallions, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon chili paste (like Gochujang, Sriracha or Sambal Olek)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 English cucumber, cut into matchsticks
½ cup shredded carrot
¼ cup cilantro leaves
1 head Bibb lettuce, leaves separated
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly beat the egg and egg white in a large bowl. Add the pork, scallions, garlic, ginger, chili paste soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and cornstarch. Mix with your hands until just combined (do not over mix.) Dampen your hands and shape the meat mixture into 18 balls and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Place meatballs in the preheated oven for 18 – 22 minutes or until cooked through.
Assemble meatballs in the lettuce cups and garnish with the cucumber, radishes, carrots and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with dipping sauce (see below.)
For the sauce:
1 cup hoisin sauce
4 teaspoons chili sauce
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over the lettuce cups. Sauce can be made ahead of time.