Disclosure:
What is a Reduction
The Sauce
Using Alessi's Coconut Reduction makes the sauce for my Asian Pork Meatballs a snap to throw together for an easy meal perfect for any night of the week. While the meatballs and coconut rice are cooking away, I simply combine the ingredients for the sauce and heat it. I can't emphasize enough how amazing this sauce is y'all. Just looking at the photos has me craving it again. It is definitely going on the menu this week, because I have to have it! It's so good, no one will ever guess how easy it is to make. Seriously! It takes about 5 minutes! Using the pre-made coconut reduction saves a good 20-30 minutes, and I don't have to worry about Don suffering through a sneezing fit. Win win!Recipe Prep Tips
- Gather all of your ingredients to have them handy. This recipe moves along quickly.
- Start the coconut rice first. I recommend rinsing the rice first for best results, and also making the rice in a skillet with a lid.
- Once the coconut rice is going, mix the meatballs and get them in the oven.
- While the coconut rice and meatballs are cooking, it's a good time to make the sauce. I heat the sauce in a saucepan on the stove, but you can also measure it out and heat it in the microwave if you like.
- When the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, remove it from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for 10 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and serve with the meatballs coated in sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and chives. Enjoy!
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Asian Pork Meatballs over Coconut Rice
Published 03/09/2017

Ingredients
Coconut Rice
- 2 cups Basmati Rice, rinsed until water runs clear
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 13.5 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Alessi Coconut Reduction
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 red Chile Pepper, seeded and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
Garnish
- Freshly chopped chives
- Freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up and top with a baking rack. Lightly grease the rack. You can bake the meatballs right on the foil or the baking sheet if you don't have a rack. I prefer to use a rack for a crispier outside on the meatball.
- Rinse and drain rice in cold water. Place 2 cups rice in a skillet with 1 1/2 cups water, can unsweetened coconut milk, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, stir and reduce heat to mid-low. Cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. When most of the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Then remove cover and fluff with a fork to serve.
- While the coconut rice is cooking, combine 1 pound ground pork, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic, 1 tablespoon freshly minced onion, 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper in a large bowl.
- Mix the pork mixture well to combine and then form into meatballs. I use a medium size scoop to get them uniform in size, or if I'm away from home I have even used a 1/8 measure cup to measure the meat and then roll into a ball. Place them on the greased rack or a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 15 minutes or until cooked through to 160°F. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your meatballs.
- While the coconut rice and meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup Alessi Coconut Reduction, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced red chile pepper, 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Cook until the sauce is just heated through. You don't want to cook it too much or it will thin out. If it thins too much, it will thicken as it cools. Toss the meatballs with the sauce.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the coconut rice between 4-6 bowls and top each with 3-4 saucy meatballs. Garnish with freshly chopped chives and cilantro and serve with any remaining sauce. Enjoy!
Prep Time: 10 mins.
Total time: 35 mins.
What a uniquely delicious recipe! I need to try this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele! Let me know what you think when you try it. Have a super weekend :) ~Marion
DeleteLooks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nora! It's definitely a fave. Don asks for this all the time now haha Have a great weekend :) ~Marion
DeleteAny substitutes for Alessi Coconut reduction or how I could make it as can't seem to find here in Canada. ranwags@gmail.com with any suggestions. Thank you .
ReplyDeleteHi Randy, Check your email for a response and let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy! ~Marion
DeleteHow would I make my own coconut reduction? Can't get Alessi in the UK and recipes online don't look like they have the white balsamic element that Alessi has. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, I recommend ordering the Alessi reduction online if possible. Otherwise, if you can find coconut infused white balsamic vinegar you can use that with sugar or use white balsamic with coconut sugar to make the redution. I hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week ~Marion
DeleteIf we were making the reduction with white balsamic and coconut sugar would it be equal parts? 1/4 sugar, 1/4 balsamic? I can't find the pre made anywhere!
DeleteHi Sydney, when making a reduction, you will be reducing the vinegar by half, so I recommend using 1 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 20 minutes until reduced by half. It should be syrupy when ready. I hope that helps. Enjoy!
DeleteThis sounds amazing! While I do like a reduction sauce, it is easy to use a pre-made one, especially when you're short on time (as I always seem to be). The flavors in this recipe are awesome - I love the asian inspired meatballs and sauce.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Danielle! I'm partial to the Alessi reductions because the ingredient is small and familiar, so when I am short on time I always reach for them. So handy!! Thanks for stopping by! Have a super week ~Marion
DeleteAck I left out a word haha that should be 'ingredient list' oops ;)
DeletePlease provide a print button for your recipes!
ReplyDeleteI wish it were an easy solution to provide a print button, but as it turns out, it would take quite a bit of time. I’m a one woman show trying to do it all, so I’m lucky to get the recipes published at times. I do write my recipes so they are easily made from your electronic device. If you notice in the directions I include the ingredient amounts to make it easy to follow the recipe on mobile without having to scroll up and down. I love that this also saves paper �� However, if you send me a request via email I will be happy to send you a printable copy. Email me at life_tastes_good@yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCopy and paste in to word. :)
DeleteLoved these meatballs! The rice was amazing too! I served the rice another night with coconut shrimp, I stirred in another couple tbsps coconut milk. I couldn't find the reduction and I didn't want to use regular balsamic glaze. I made a sauce with soy sauce, water, orange juice, ginger, garlic, brown sugar and a little sriracha. Can't wait to make this again!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful Cris! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Your changes sound great :)
DeleteDoes it have to be white balsamic? I am in Belize and the options for sauces is very limited here! I MISS that about America.
ReplyDeleteHi Paige, So sorry your choices are limited, but, no worries, you can use regular balsamic vinegar to make the reduction. I've made the sauce both ways and it's always delicious :). I hope that helps and would love to hear what you think if you try it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis recipe is my all time favorite!! So full of flavor!!! Everyone I've made it for just loves it! Thanks for sharing! ( I order the Alessi on amazon definitely worth it)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words! You made my day :) I'm so happy this is your favorite recipe, it's one of our all time faves too! Have an awesome week ~Marion
DeleteMy whole family loves this meal! It has become a regular option for dinners during the week. However, due to a family member's dietary needs we have be aware of certain nutritional values: Do you have nutritional information available for this recipe?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
I'm very happy to hear everyone loves this meal. The nutrition info is as follows:
DeleteCalories
507.48
Fat (grams)
26.64
Sat. Fat (grams)
10.37
Carbs (grams)
29.85
Fiber
1.04
Net Carbs
28.81
Sugar (grams)
1.17
Protein (grams)
34.60
Sodium (milligrams)
613.79
Cholesterol (grams)
153.09
As always, keep in mind this info can vary depending on the products you use and the calculator used. I hope that helps :) Have a wonderful weekend ~Marion
this is delicious with ground lamb as well.
ReplyDelete