Shrimp Balls with Sticky Rice
Across southeast Asia this dish is popular as an every-day meal, but it's especially celebrated as a New Year's dish in some countries. If you're making rice balls for the first time, keep two thoughts in mind: use sticky rice, and plan ahead. Choose rice that absorbs about twice its weight in water, and soak it overnight before preparing your rice balls. Where can you find it? Check in your nearest Asian market, the Asian section or your supermarket for Japanese Short Rice, also known as sushi rice, or even experiment with Italian rices suitable for risotto. Recipes Basic Shrimp Sticky Rice Ball Recipe
Cover the rice in a generous amount of water and soak overnight. Drain the rice. Finely chop the shrimp, ginger (and carrots and cucumber if you are using them). Mix with the egg and soy sauce. Make small balls of the mixture and mold rice around it, forming balls. Place in an oiled bamboo or metal steamer, cover and place steamer over a pot of boiling water. Steam for 15-20 minutes.
Shrimp and Ginger Rice Balls Use basic recipe above. Add two teaspoons finely minced ginger. Shrimp and Wasabi Rice Balls Use basic recipe above. Add wasabi to taste. Spicy Thai Shrimp Balls Use basic recipe above. Add 2 teaspoons chili oil to the mixture. Other Asian ingredients to Experiment With Your Shrimp Rice Balls: We've tried making shrimp balls with almonds and with cashews (yum!). Mince one or the other of the nuts and combine them with the mixture. You can also try putting one cashew inside the mixture. Be sure to also try shrimp and rice balls using one or two tablespoons of garlic, fish sauce or other Asian sauces, or even roll them in sesame seeds before placing them in your steamer. Don't miss these related recipes... Return from the Shrimp Balls page to the Favorite Shrimp Recipes home page
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