Bola-Bola with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
• Cooking oil, for frying Cooking oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 1g
• Protein: 27g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, ground black pepper, paprika, cilantro, and basil. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Add the beaten eggs to the mixture and continue to mix until the mixture becomes sticky and holds together.
3. 3.
   Shape the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. 4.
   Heat cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
5. 5.
   Fry the meatballs in batches until they are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 8-10 minutes.
6. 6.
   Remove the meatballs from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bola-Bola hot with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground pork and beef — Make sure to use lean ground meat for a healthier option. If you prefer a more tender texture, you can mix in a small amount of ground pork fat.
• Fresh herbs — To enhance the flavor, use fresh herbs instead of dried ones. If you don't have cilantro or basil, you can substitute with parsley or mint.

Tips & Tricks

• For a juicier meatball, you can add a small amount of grated onion to the mixture.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meatball mixture.
• To save time, you can prepare the meatball mixture in advance and refrigerate it until ready to cook.
• Serve the Bola-Bola with a side of steamed rice and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
• Leftover Bola-Bola can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for future meals.

Serving advice

Serve the Bola-Bola as a main dish accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Drizzle the meatballs with your favorite sauce, such as sweet chili sauce or a garlic-vinegar dip, for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Bola-Bola on a platter, garnished with fresh cilantro or basil leaves for an appealing presentation. Serve with a side of sauce and colorful vegetables to make the dish visually enticing.