Homemade Bakso with Flavorful Broth

Ingredients

• For the meatballs: For the meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground chicken 250g (8.8 oz) ground chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (optional) 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 egg 1 egg
• For the broth: For the broth:
• 2 liters (8 cups) beef or chicken broth 2 liters (8 cups) beef or chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 shallots, sliced 2 shallots, sliced
• 2 slices ginger 2 slices ginger
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 2 kaffir lime leaves 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• For serving: For serving:
• Cooked noodles (rice noodles or egg noodles) Cooked noodles (rice noodles or egg noodles)
• Bean sprouts Bean sprouts
• Chopped scallions Chopped scallions
• Fried shallots Fried shallots
• Chili sauce Chili sauce

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix well until the mixture becomes sticky.
2. 2.
   Wet your hands with water and shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a ping pong ball.
3. 3.
   In a pot, bring the broth ingredients to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
4. 4.
   Gently drop the meatballs into the simmering broth and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. 5.
   While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.
6. 6.
   Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the broth and set aside.
7. 7.
   Strain the broth to remove the aromatics and return it to the pot. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   To serve, divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Top with bean sprouts, meatballs, and chopped scallions. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and garnish with fried shallots. Serve with chili sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tapioca flour — Tapioca flour helps bind the meatball mixture and gives the meatballs a tender texture. If you don't have tapioca flour, you can substitute it with cornstarch or potato starch.
• Kaffir lime leaves — Kaffir lime leaves add a unique citrusy aroma to the broth. If you can't find fresh kaffir lime leaves, you can use dried ones, but reduce the quantity to 1 leaf.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, you can add a small piece of beef bone or chicken bone to the broth while simmering.
• If you prefer a spicier broth, add a few slices of fresh chili pepper or a drizzle of chili oil.
• To save time, you can make a larger batch of meatballs and freeze them for future use.
• Experiment with different types of noodles, such as udon or soba, to add variety to your Bakso.
• Customize the toppings and condiments according to your preference. Some popular additions include fried wontons, boiled eggs, and Chinese celery.

Serving advice

Serve the Bakso hot, allowing the flavors to meld together. Encourage your guests to customize their bowls with additional condiments and toppings according to their taste preferences.

Presentation advice

To make the dish visually appealing, arrange the noodles, meatballs, and toppings neatly in the bowl. Drizzle the broth over the ingredients, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped scallions and fried shallots for an added touch of elegance.