Pearl Meatballs, Steamed

Pearl Meatballs, Steamed

Course :	Chinese
From:	HungryMonster.com
Serves:	4

Ingredients:

2/3	cup	sticky sweet rice
1	pound	pork -- ground fine
2	tablespoons	soy sauce -- light
1	tablespoon	Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1	clove	garlic clove -- crushed
6	medium	water chestnuts -- peeled and chopped
1/2	ounce	dried Chinese mushrooms -- soaked in water
1	teaspoon	salt -- or to taste
1	teaspoon	sugar
3	tablespoons	cornstarch
1	medium	green onion -- chopped
1/4	teaspoon	msg -- (optional)
1/4	teaspoon	white pepper -- or to taste
2	bunches	lettuce leaves -- for steaming

Preparation:

Rinse the rice until the water is clear and soak it in cold water for 6 hours. Place rice in colander and drain very well. Soak Chinese mushrooms in water for 2 hours. Drain and chop coarsely. Mix all the ingredients together except the rice and lettuce. Form into 1-inch meatballs and roll each to cover in the soaked rice. Cut the lettuce leaves into 3-inch squares or circles and place a meatball on each, then into the steamer. (Or you can use waxed paper). Steam for 30 minutes or until the rice is glossy and tender. This dish is great served right from the steamer.