Malay-style Meatballs with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

In this Malay adaptation, the Italian polpette is transformed into rempah-infused meatballs. The original Italian recipe typically uses a combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. In the Malay version, the meatballs are flavored with rempah, a blend of spices commonly used in Malay cuisine. Additionally, the Italian tomato-based sauce is replaced with a rich and spicy peanut sauce, which is a staple in Malay cooking. We alse have the original recipe for Polpette, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely minced 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons rempah paste 2 tablespoons rempah paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1/4 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons palm sugar 2 tablespoons palm sugar
• 1 red chili, sliced (for garnish) 1 red chili, sliced (for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish) Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories: 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 16g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, lemongrass, grated ginger, rempah paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, chili powder, salt, breadcrumbs, chopped cilantro, and chopped mint. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   In a separate saucepan, combine the coconut milk, peanut butter, tamarind paste, and palm sugar. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked meatballs to the simmering peanut sauce and let them cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
6. 6.
   Serve the Malay-style meatballs with steamed rice, garnished with sliced red chili and fresh cilantro leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rempah paste — If you can't find ready-made rempah paste, you can make your own by blending together shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and a combination of spices such as coriander, cumin, and turmeric.
• Tamarind paste — If tamarind paste is not available, you can substitute it with lime juice for a tangy flavor.
• Palm sugar — If palm sugar is not accessible, you can use brown sugar as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add more chili powder or fresh chili to the meatball mixture.
• If the peanut sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a little water or coconut milk.
• To save time, you can make the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the peanut sauce until creamy before adding the meatballs.
• Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili according to your taste preferences.

Serving advice

Serve the Malay-style meatballs with steamed rice and a side of fresh cucumber slices or a refreshing salad. The cool and crisp elements will complement the rich and spicy flavors of the meatballs and peanut sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs on a platter, drizzle the peanut sauce over them, and garnish with sliced red chili and fresh cilantro leaves. The vibrant colors and aromatic garnishes will make the dish visually appealing and enticing.