Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meatballs with Noodle Salad

Ingredients

In this German adaptation of the Vietnamese dish Bún chả, we substitute traditional Vietnamese ingredients with German flavors. Instead of using Vietnamese herbs and spices, we incorporate German mustard and vinegar into the dressing for the noodle salad. Additionally, we wrap the pork meatballs in bacon to add a smoky and savory element that is popular in German cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Bún chả, so you can check it out.

• For the meatballs: For the meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 200g (7 oz) bacon slices 200g (7 oz) bacon slices
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon German mustard 1 tablespoon German mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• For the noodle salad: For the noodle salad:
• 200g (7 oz) rice noodles 200g (7 oz) rice noodles
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced 1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons German mustard 2 tablespoons German mustard
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, German mustard, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Shape the pork mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
4. 4.
   Wrap each meatball with a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if necessary.
5. 5.
   Place the bacon-wrapped meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
6. 6.
   While the meatballs are baking, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
7. 7.
   In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice noodles, julienned cucumber, julienned carrot, thinly sliced red cabbage, German mustard, white vinegar, olive oil, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat the noodles and vegetables with the dressing.
8. 8.
   Serve the bacon-wrapped pork meatballs on a bed of the German noodle salad.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bacon — Choose thick-cut bacon for easier wrapping and a more substantial texture.
• German mustard — Use a good-quality German mustard for an authentic flavor.
• Rice noodles — Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, but make sure not to overcook them to maintain a slightly firm texture.
• Red cabbage — Slice the red cabbage thinly for a crisp and crunchy texture in the noodle salad.
• Fresh dill — If fresh dill is not available, you can substitute it with dried dill, but use half the amount.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can grill the bacon-wrapped meatballs instead of baking them.
• If you prefer a spicier noodle salad, add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
• Customize the noodle salad by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers or radishes.
• Serve the dish with a side of sauerkraut for an extra German touch.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought German mustard instead of making your own dressing.

Serving advice

Serve the Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meatballs with German Noodle Salad as a main course. Garnish with additional fresh dill for a pop of color and freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the bacon-wrapped pork meatballs on top of the noodle salad, allowing the vibrant colors of the vegetables to peek through. Drizzle a little extra dressing over the meatballs for an appetizing presentation.