Spicy thai meatballs with crispy noodles

4 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Vegetable oil
1 pounds Ground pork
1 large Egg
½ cup Dry-roasted peanuts,
Finely chopped
¼ cup Chopped fresh cilantro or
Parsley
¾ teaspoon Salt
3¾ ounce Pkg. cellophane noodles
(see note)
½ cup Chunk-style peanut butter
1 tablespoon Grated lemon peel
¼ teaspoon Ground red cayenne pepper
1 small Cucumber,sliced
1 small Carrot, peeled and thinly
Sliced or cut into thin
Sticks
Fresh cilantro or parsley
Sprigs, optional

Directions

Pour oil into 3 qt. saucepan to depth of 1";heat over medium-high heat to 375 degrees.Meanwhile,in large bowl,combine pork,egg,ground peanuts,chopped cilantro and salt.Using hands or wooden spoon,blend well.Shape mixture into 1" balls.In 12" skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tbsp. oil;add meatballs.Cook about 12 minutes,turning frequently until well browned on all sides.Add 1 cup water,stirring to loosen brown bits from bottom of skillet;bring to boil.Reduce heat to low. Simmer,covered,5 to 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through. Meanwhile,add noodles,a small amount at a time,to hot oil in saucepan; cook each batch about 20 seconds until puffed and double in size.Using a slotted spoon,remove noodles to paper towel to drain.When meatballs are cooked,stir in peanut butter,grated lemon peel and ground red pepper;cook about 1 minute longer until heated through.Arrange fried noodles on serving platter.Spoon meatballs over noodles;arrange cucumbers and carrots decoratively around edge.Garnish with cilantro sprigs,if desired.Makes 4 servings.

Note:Cellophane noodles are sometimes called bean thread noodles and can be found in the Oriental sections of supermarkets.

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