**Danny Kaye's Lions Head: A Culinary Journey to Chinese New Year Festivities**
As the Lunar New Year approaches, tantalizing aromas of traditional dishes fill the air, promising feasts and family gatherings. Among these culinary delights, Danny Kaye's Lions Head, a delectable meatball dish steeped in history and symbolism, takes center stage. Originating from the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, this dish is renowned for its auspicious name, which translates to "lion's head," signifying strength, courage, and prosperity. Typically served during New Year celebrations and other special occasions, Lions Head is a symbol of good fortune and abundance, bringing joy and prosperity to those who partake in its savory goodness.
Embark on a culinary adventure with our collection of Lions Head recipes, each offering unique interpretations of this classic dish. From the traditional Tianjin Lions Head, known for its tender meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth, to the comforting Shanghai Lions Head, featuring a rich sauce and soft, fluffy meatballs, our recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
Indulge in the hearty Shandong Lions Head, where succulent meatballs are nestled in a savory broth infused with vegetables and spices. Experience the distinct flavors of the Jiangnan Lions Head, where delicate meatballs are steamed to perfection, retaining their exquisite texture and delicate flavors. For those who prefer a vegetarian twist, the Vegetarian Lions Head provides a delightful meatless alternative, showcasing the versatility of this timeless dish.
As you explore our Lions Head recipes, discover the cultural significance and symbolism behind each ingredient and preparation method. Learn the art of crafting the perfect meatball, ensuring a tender and flavorful center enveloped in a savory broth or sauce. Discover the secrets of achieving the ideal balance of flavors and textures, creating a dish that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the soul.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a culinary novice, our Lions Head recipes are designed to guide you through the cooking process with ease. With step-by-step instructions and insightful tips, you'll be able to recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen, bringing the festive spirit of Chinese New Year to your table.
LION'S HEAD
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix the pork, soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch with a chopstick. Form into large meatballs. On a small plate, sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch and roll the meatballs in the cornstarch.
- In a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil. Brown the meatballs in hot wok until deep golden brown. Remove from the wok. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
- Wipe the wok or skillet clean with a paper towel. Return the wok to high heat and cook cabbage until just wilted.
- Place the cooked cabbage on the bottom of a large soup pot or casserole dish. Add the meatballs and broth. Cover and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir and serve warm.
DANNY KAYE'S LION'S HEAD
Posted in response to a request ... Although I have not yet tried this, Danny Kaye was known for his expertise as a chinese chef. I read in the New York Times Cookbook that he had his own hug, restaurant-style kitchen, and gave many dinner parties for guests such as Henry Kissinger, Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, and the list goes on. This is supposedly one of his specialties.
Provided by Charmed
Categories Pork
Time 1h10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the dried mushrooms in a mixing bowl and add hot water to cover; let stand for 20 minutes or longer until softened.
- In another mixing bowl, add the pork.
- Drain the mushrooms, squeeze dry, chop and add to the pork.
- Add the water chestnuts, ginger, scallions, garlic, grated orange rind, sesame oil, wine, soy sauce, salt, and cornstarch.
- Mix well and shape into 8 to 12 balls; set aside.
- Heat the oil for deep frying and add the meat balls.
- Deep fry until crisp and golden on the outside; drain well.
- Then place the meat balls in a steamer and steam for 20 to 25 minutes and serve on a bed of hot, steamed spinach or broccoli.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 260.4, Fat 15, SaturatedFat 5.5, Cholesterol 66.7, Sodium 473.4, Carbohydrate 10.1, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 2.1, Protein 19.3
LION'S HEAD STEW
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix the pork with the ginger-scallion water, eggs and season. Throw the pork in a bowl 10 times to compact the meat together. Preheat a large skillet and coat with oil. Make 8 large meatballs and coat with cornstarch. Only brown the meatballs on all sides. Do not cook them through, then drain on paper towels. Place sliced cabbage in the clay pot and top with meatballs. Mix sugar with soy sauces to dissolve and add to pot. Add peel, mushrooms and stock. Check for seasoning. (The flavor of the broth will eventually be the flavor of the meatballs/cabbage, season well.) Top the meatballs with the whole cabbage leaves and cover. Place in the oven and braise for 3 hours.
- PLATING Serve the clay pot family style with small bowls of steamed rice.
LION'S HEAD CASSEROLE
Chinese dish, I call it cabbage and meatball soup at home. You can use boy choy instead of napa cabbage. This is a combination of a few variations to this recipe, and the way we like to eat ours. Serve with steaming hot rice for a complete meal. I like to place this in the crockpot (set-it-and-forget-it) and cook it for the afternoon if possible because the longer you cook this dish the more tender and melt-in-your-mouth the meatballs are.
Provided by JMigs0
Categories Vegetable
Time 3h30m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Fill a big pot with chicken stock, add water and bring to low boil and simmer.
- Add the cabbage.
- While you get that going, start making the meatballs.
- Squeeze out excess water from the mushrooms, mince and set aside, make sure to save the soaking water to add flavor to the soup later!
- Mix the ground pork with the egg, minced mushrooms, oyster sauce, tofu, salt, pepper, ginger, green onions, cornstarch, and 2 Tbs soy sauce, 2 tsp cooking wine, plus minced dried shrimp if using. (make sure you mince it finely before adding).
- Mix throughly, using a spoon to help, make meatballs and place into pot on top of the cabbage. Add brown sugar and left over 2 Tbs soy sauce to soup. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours or longer for tender meatballs. Before serving taste and adjust seasonings of soup by adding more salt or soy sauce or pepper.
LION'S HEAD MEATBALLS
Provided by Andrea Reusing
Categories dinner, project, main course
Time 2h
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Soak the dried mushrooms in 2 cups hot chicken stock until partially softened, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the pork, egg whites, 3 tablespoons shao xing, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, sesame oil, 2 teaspoons salt and pepper with a wooden spoon, mixing thoroughly for about 3 minutes. Stir in the scallions and minced ginger. Form the mixture into 12 large meatballs.
- In a deep, heavy pot, add 4 inches of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 375 degrees. With a slotted spoon, gently lower 3 or 4 meatballs into the oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are deep golden brown but still raw in the center. Drain on a paper towel and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place a large, heavy casserole over low heat and add the soaked black mushrooms and their liquid, the remaining 4 cups chicken stock, the ginger threads, 6 tablespoons shao xing, wine, vinegar, sugar and 1½ teaspoons salt. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a low simmer. Cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes, until the mushrooms have completely softened and the broth is fragrant.
- Add the meatballs and return the broth to a simmer. Cover the casserole and place it in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are just cooked through. Remove the casserole from the oven and increase the heat to 450. With a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms and meatballs to a large plate or bowl.
- In a medium bowl, toss the shiitakes with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and a generous amount of salt. Transfer to a baking sheet, tops facing up, and roast until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
- When the black mushrooms are cool enough to handle, trim their stems with kitchen shears and discard. Dice the black mushroom caps into ½-inch cubes and return them to the casserole. Place the casserole over low heat, adjust the seasoning and, while stirring, gradually add the cornstarch-water mixture.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and lay the watercress into the simmering liquid, taking care to keep the stems facing the same direction and gently pushing down until the watercress is partially submerged. After a minute, as the watercress begins to wilt, use tongs to gently turn over. Cook another minute or so until just wilted. Remove from the heat.
- Arrange the watercress in warm shallow bows and distribute the meatballs and shiitakes on top. Divide the broth between the bowls, making sure to spoon some over the meatballs and shiitakes. Garnish with reserved scallions.
LION'S HEAD
This is called Lion's Head because the meatballs surrounded by bok choy look like a male lion's head with a mane. This is Chinese 'comfort food'. I like to make this on lazy winter Sunday afternoons while watching old movies on TV. When served over steamed rice, this becomes a one-dish meal. This is another of Madame Wong's terrific recipes and comes from the Yangchow area of China.
Provided by Hey Jude
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Pound ginger and green onion with back of knife or cleaver.
- Put into a bowl with the water.
- Set aside 10 minutes.
- Strain green onion and ginger out of the water, reserving water.
- Put ground pork into a bowl.
- Add green onion and ginger water, sherry, 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 Tablespoon cornstarch.
- Mix well with your hand in one direction.
- Form meat mixture into 4 large balls.
- Using your hands, lightly coat balls with dissolved cornstarch.
- Heat 4 tablespoons peanut oil in a wok.
- Fry balls one at a time until they are brown.
- Baste with hot oil to facilitate browning.
- Remove carefully and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in the wok.
- Stir-fry bok choy for 2 minutes.
- Place meatballs on top of fried bok choy.
- Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce and stock.
- Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add sugar.
- Bring to boil for 2 minutes.
- If the gravy is too watery, thicken with a little cornstarch dissolved in cold water.
- Serve over steamed rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 591.4, Fat 44.4, SaturatedFat 12.3, Cholesterol 107.6, Sodium 1538, Carbohydrate 11.1, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 2.8, Protein 33.1
SHIH TZU TOU ( LION'S HEAD CASSEROLE)
Ruffled Napa cabbage is arranged around large pork meatballs to create the appearance of the lionlike Tibetan dog. A wonderful balance of flavors, serve it with steamed white rice. The pork mixture can be made up to 1 day ahead and chilled, covered, and the cabbage can be cut 1 day ahead, then chilled, wrapped in dampened paper towels, in large sealed plastic bags(press out any excess air before sealing).From the May 2007 issue of Gourmet.
Provided by Leslie in Texas
Categories Pork
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cover mushrooms with boiling hot water in a small bowl and let stand 30 minutes, then squeeze excess water from mushrooms and reserve 1 cup mushroom-soaking liquid.
- Discard mushroom stems and cut caps into very thin slices.
- Meanwhile, mix together pork,scallions,water chestnuts,rice wine,sesame oil, sugar, 1 tablespoon ginger,1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands.
- Gather together pork mixture and throw against bottom or side of bowl 5 or 6 times to firm texture, then chill, covered, until ready to use.
- Remove and reserve 4 large cabbage leaves.
- Halve cabbage head lengthwise, then cut out and discard core.
- Cut cabbage leaves crosswise into 2 inch pieces.
- Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly; swirl 2 tablespoons oil to coat bottom and sides of wok, then stir-fry mushrooms, half of cabbage, and remaining tablespoon of ginger until cabbage begins to wilt,about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add remaining cabbage and 3/4 teaspoon salt and stir-fry until all of cabbage has begun to wilt, about 3 minutes.
- Add reserved soaking liquid (1 cup) and continue stir-frying until cabbage is wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to a 4 to 5 quart heavy pot, arranging evenly on bottom; wipe wok clean with paper towels.
- Stir together cornstarch, pepper, and remaining soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Divide pork mixture into quarters, then coat your hands with some of cornstarch/soy sauce mixture.
- Form 4 large meatballs, transfering each as formed to a large plate and then recoating your hands.
- Heat wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates instantly, then pour in remaining oil, enough to measure a scant 1/4 inch in wok.
- Reduce heat to moderately high and gently arrange meatballs in wok.
- Fry meatballs, turning gently until deep golden on all sides, about 5 minutes total; if meatballs stick, add a little more oil.
- Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then arrange on top of cabbage in pot.
- Add broth, then cover meatballs completely with reserved 4 cabbage leaves.
- Bring liquid just to boil, then reduce heat and gently simmer, covered, 1 hour; check frequently to make sure liquid is not boiling vigorously.
- Season broth with salt, then move large cabbage leaves around the edge of pot to resemble a lion's mane.
- Serve in individual shallow bowls over rice, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 738.5, Fat 63.3, SaturatedFat 15.6, Cholesterol 81.8, Sodium 1344.6, Carbohydrate 19.7, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 3.7, Protein 24.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality ground pork: The quality of the pork you use will greatly affect the taste of the dish. Opt for ground pork that is at least 80% lean, and make sure it is fresh.
- Soak the shiitake mushrooms in hot water before using: This will help to rehydrate the mushrooms and make them more flavorful.
- Use a variety of vegetables: The vegetables in this dish add flavor, texture, and color. Feel free to use your favorite vegetables, or whatever you have on hand.
- Don't overcook the meatballs: The meatballs should be cooked through, but they should not be dry. Cook them until they are just cooked through, and then remove them from the heat.
- Serve with a dipping sauce: A dipping sauce is a great way to add extra flavor to the dish. Serve the meatballs with a simple soy sauce dipping sauce, or try a more complex sauce, such as a hoisin sauce or a sweet and sour sauce.
Conclusion:
Danny Kaye's Lions Head is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The meatballs are tender and flavorful, and the vegetables add a nice balance of flavor and texture. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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