Chinese-style Beef Ball Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, finely chopped 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• 1 liter (4 cups) beef broth 1 liter (4 cups) beef broth
• 2 star anise 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, breadcrumbs, and beaten egg. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   In a large pot, bring the beef broth to a boil. Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
4. 4.
   Gently drop the beef balls into the simmering broth and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the star anise and cinnamon stick from the broth before serving.
6. 6.
   Ladle the beef balls and broth into bowls and garnish with additional chopped green onions, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Use lean ground beef for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a combination of lean and fatty ground beef.
• Star anise — Be cautious when using star anise as it has a strong flavor. Remove it from the broth once the desired taste is achieved to prevent overpowering the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, let the beef ball mixture marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping them into balls.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can dissolve a tablespoon of cornstarch in water and add it to the simmering broth.
• Customize the soup by adding vegetables like bok choy or mushrooms for added nutrition and texture.
• Serve the beef ball soup with a side of steamed rice or noodles for a heartier meal.
• Leftover beef balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the broth before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese-style Beef Ball Soup hot in individual bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added freshness and color. Accompany the soup with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the beef balls neatly in the center of the bowl and ladle the fragrant broth around them. Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top for an appealing touch. Serve the soup with Chinese soup spoons and chopsticks for an authentic dining experience.