4
servings20
minutes1
minuteEmbrace a symphony of flavors with this Cilantro-Pork Meatball Noodle Soup recipe, offering an exquisite blend of succulent pork, aromatic herbs, and hearty noodles in a comforting broth. This culinary guide invites you to craft a soul-warming soup brimming with savory meatballs and tender noodles.
Begin by meticulously combining ground pork with a medley of seasonings including white pepper, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Enhance the mixture with the bold flavors of garlic and fragrant cilantro, expertly rolled into delectable, bite-sized meatballs.
Simultaneously, in a separate pot, the soup base comes to life with scallions, low-sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce. As the meatballs gently simmer in the fragrant broth, their flavors meld, creating a tantalizing aroma that permeates your kitchen.
Meanwhile, a pot of boiling water awaits the arrival of thin Chinese wheat noodles, promising a tender and satisfying addition to the soup. Once cooked, these noodles eagerly await their place in serving bowls, ready to be embraced by the flavorful broth.
Ladle the aromatic soup generously over the cooked noodles, ensuring each bowl receives a fair share of the savory meatballs. The finishing touch comes in the form of reserved cilantro, adding a burst of freshness and visual appeal to this comforting masterpiece.
This recipe transcends mere sustenance, offering a sensory journey through delightful textures and aromatic flavors. Serve this Cilantro-Pork Meatball Noodle Soup as a wholesome meal, welcoming friends and family to savor the heartwarming goodness together. Revel in the joy of creating this delightful dish, bringing warmth and satisfaction to every spoonful.
Ingredients
- For the Cilantro-Pork Meatballs:
1 pound ground pork
3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
5 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
- For the Noodle Soup:
3 medium scallions
5 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce (plus more as needed)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (plus more as needed)
8 ounces dried thin Chinese wheat noodles (such as Kame)
Directions
- For the Cilantro-Pork Meatballs:
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet or large plate. In a medium bowl, combine 1 pound ground pork, 3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon fish sauce.
- As you proceed, add the following ingredients to the pork mixture: Mince 5 cloves of garlic. Finely chop enough fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems from 1/2 bunch to yield 1/2 cup; add 1/4 cup to the bowl, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup for garnish.
- Using your hands, thoroughly mix the pork and added ingredients until well combined. Roll the mixture into 25 to 29 (1-inch) meatballs, approximately 1 tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet or plate.
- For the Noodle Soup:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, thinly slice 3 medium scallions (about 1/2 cup) and place them in a separate medium pot.
- Add 5 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons fish sauce to the pot with the scallions. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Gently lower the meatballs into the simmering soup. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook the meatballs until they float and are fully cooked, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce and/or soy sauce if needed.
- In the boiling water from earlier, add 8 ounces of dried wheat noodles and cook according to package instructions until tender. Once done, turn off the heat, drain the noodles, and transfer them directly into serving bowls.
- Ladle the soup, including a few meatballs, into each bowl containing the cooked noodles. Garnish each bowl with the reserved cilantro before serving.
- Store any remaining soup and cooked noodles separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.
- When reheating, combine the soup and noodles and warm them together until thoroughly heated.