Lion"sheadisaclassicdishinChinesecuisine.Itsshapeislikealion"shead,hencethename.Itisamoistandsavorymeatballwithshreddedcabbage,waterchestnuts,andscallions.Ittastesdeliciousandisamust-trydish.
1.Ingredients
-1poundgroundpork
-1/2cupbreadcrumbs
-1/2cupwaterchestnuts,chopped
-1/2cupshreddedcabbage
-2eggs,lightlybeaten
-2scallions,finelychopped
-2tablespoonssoysauce
-1tablespoonsesameoil
-1/2teaspoonwhitepepper
-1/4teaspoonsalt
-1/4cupcornstarch
-3cupsvegetableoilforfrying
2.Steps
Inalargemixingbowl,combinegroundpork,breadcrumbs,waterchestnuts,shreddedcabbage,eggs,scallions,soysauce,sesameoil,whitepepper,andsalt.Mixwell.
Dividethemeatmixtureinto8equalportions.Rolleachportionintoaballshape.
Dustthemeatballslightlywithcornstarch.
Inadeepsaucepanorawok,heatupvegetableoilovermediumheatuntilitreaches350°F.
Gentlydropthemeatballsintohotoilanddeep-fryuntiltheyturngoldenbrown.Removefromtheoilanddrainonapapertowel.
Servehotwithriceornoodles.
3.Variations
-Addmorevegetableslikecarrots,bellpeppers,ormushroomstothemeatmixture.
-Usegroundbeeforgroundchickeninsteadofpork.
-Insteadofdeep-frying,steamthemeatballsinabamboosteamerforahealthierversion.
4.Tips
-Alwaysdividethemeatmixtureintoequalportionstoensureevencooking.
-Dustthemeatballswithcornstarchbeforefryingtocreateacrispyouterlayer.
-Avoidovercrowdingthepanwhenfryingtoensurethetemperaturestaysconsistent.
-Draintheoilthoroughlyfromthemeatballstoavoidgreasiness.
5.History
Lion"sheadisatraditionaldishfromtheHuaiyangcuisine,whichisoneoftheFourGreatTraditionsinChinesecuisine.ThedishissaidtohaveoriginatedintheQingDynastyandwasservedtoemperorsandnoblesbecauseofitselaborateappearance.
6.Culture
InChineseculture,lionsareseenasasymbolofgoodluckandprosperity.Customarily,manyChinesefamilieseatlion"sheadduringspecialoccasionslikeChineseNewYear,weddings,andbirthdaystoheraldfortuneandhappiness.
7.HealthBenefits
Lion"sheadisanutritiousdishsinceitcontainsavarietyofveggiesandleanprotein.Itislowincarbsandhighinfiberandisperfectforpeoplefollowingalow-carbdiet.Lion"sheadalsocontainsvitalnutrientslikeVitaminB12,VitaminK,andZinc,allofwhicharecrucialforahealthyimmunesystem.
Inconclusion,lion"sheadisadeliciousandnutritiousdishthateveryoneshouldtryaddingtotheirculinaryrepertoire.Withitsheartymeatballsandflavorfulveggies,lion"sheadissuretobecomeafamilyfavoritedish.