XI’AN STYLE SMUSHED LAMB MEATBALL BURGER

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XI’AN-STYLE SMUSHED LAMB MEATBALLS BRAISED IN JOY-JUICE, STUFFED IN CH-ENGLISH MUFFINS… MORE THAN WORDS

I can’t even… I won’t even… I’m not even gonna…  Look, my friends, this is my Xi’an-style smushed lamb meatballs braised in joy-juice, slobbering in between a layer of sesame/peanut sauce and cilantro/red onion slaw, my signature chili oil and Xi’an burger buns (call it Ch-english muffins).  If you are looking at them and doesn’t have the urge to tell me to shut the fuck up now, and get to it, then I don’t know nothin’ about foods.  This is where that song – More Than Words – was written for, a song that I suffered through 20 years of karaoke with and couldn’t figure out the appeal, until now.

And you wouldn’t have to saaayeh~ that you love me.  Cuz I’d already knowoah~

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XI’AN STYLE SMUSHED LAMB MEATBALL BURGER

Ingredients

    BRAISED LAMB/PORK MEATBALLS:
  • 17.6 oz (500 grams) ground lamb
  • 17.6 oz (500 grams) ground pork
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely minced
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
    • BRAISING LIQUID:
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil + 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely minced
  • 7 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1″ square peeled ginger, finely minced
  • 2 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tbsp ground sichuan peppercorn
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3~4 dried bay leaves
  • 3 star anise
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 2 cups (475 grams) low sodium chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup (118 grams) Chinese rice wine (not shaoxing wine)
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) soy sauce
  • 2 tsp dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
    • TOASTED SESAME AND PEANUT SAUCE:
  • 1/3 cup (70 grams) toasted white sesame paste (or equivalent amount of white sesames in weight)
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 1 1/2 tbsp (24 grams) smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp (15 grams) soy sauce
  • 2 tsp (14 grams) honey
  • 1/4 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 4~5 ice cubes (about 1 tbsp each)
    • TOPPING:
  • 1 cup (54 grams) chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh mint
  • 2~3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • Xi’an-style chili oil to serve

Instructions

  1. TO MAKE THE MEATBALLS: Evenly mix ground lamb, ground pork, mined onion, cornstarch, toasted sesame oil and salt in a large bowl. Line a large baking-sheet with parchment, and prepare 1/4 cup of soy sauce on the side (not in the list). Form 8 equal sized, tightly packed meatballs, then dab your hands with soy sauce and thinly rub it over the exteriors of the meatballs (this will help the caramel-coloring as they bake). Space the meatballs on the baking-sheet, then bake under a preheated broiler on high (middle-upper rack in the oven) for 15 min, turning once in between, until evenly browned all over.
  2. TO BRAISE THE MEATBALLS: In a heavy bottomed skillet large enough to hold the meatballs in one layer, heat toasted sesame oil and canola oil on medium-high heat. Cook the minced onion, garlic and ginger for 1 min until fragrant, then add cumin, coriander, sichuan peppercorn, cinnamon, bay leaves, star anise and cloves. Cook for another min until fragrant, then add chicken stock, rice wine, soy sauce and dark brown sugar, and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs and all the drippings, then put the lid on and turn the heat down to low.
  3. Cook for 1~1:30 hour, turning the meatballs occasionally, until the liquid has reduced down by 1/2 and the meatballs are tender. Carefully remove the meatballs from the liquid and set aside. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve, pressing down on the solids to extract as much sauce as you can, then discard the solids. Whisk the Dijon mustard into the sauce (*I know this sounds weird, but trust me, just do it. Dijon mustard*), then return the meatballs and simmer for another 5 min. Can be made up to 3 days before hand. To reheat, keep the lid on and warm through over low heat (add a couple tbsp of water if the sauce has reduced too much).
  4. TO MAKE THE SESAME AND PEANUT SAUCE: If you can’t find toasted white sesame paste (not tahini, which is barely toasted), toast the equivalent amount of white sesame seeds in a skillet over medium-high heat for a few min, stirring constantly, until they turn golden and fragrant. In a food-processor or blender, blend the toasted white sesame paste (or toasted white sesame), smooth peanut butter, soy sauce, honey and balsamic vinegar for 2~3 min until smooth. Then blend in the ice cubes, 1 at a time, until the mixture reaches a mayonnaise-consistency. Can be made the day before.
  5. TO MAKE THE TOPPING: Combine chopped cilantro, diced red onion and chopped mint, then stir in 2~3 tbsp of mayonnaise just to bind.
  6. TO ASSEMBLE: Toast the Xi’an-style burger buns in the oven (recipe on the bottom, or substitute with sandwich rolls), or a few min on each side in a skillet. Slice it across the middle, leaving just a small hinge to keep it attached, then smear a layer of sesame/peanut sauce on the bottom. With a spoon, smush a meatball right inside the sauce, soaking it during the process, then transfer it onto the bun. Spoon extra sauce over the top, then add the cilantro-topping, and drizzle with Xi’an-style chili oil. Station your napkins close, then dig in.
https://ladyandpups.com/2015/05/29/xian-style-smushed-lamb-meatball-burger/
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XI’AN STYLE BURGER BUNS:

Makes: 8 buns

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  • 3 cups (400 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour, divided in half
  • 1 tbsp (21 grams) honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (225 grams) water at 140F/60C (it should be uncomfortable to leave your finger in it for more than 3 seconds)
  • 2 tsp (6 grams) instant dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp (28 grams) vegetable oil, plus more to rubbing
  • Ground white pepper for dusting

In a stand-mixer bowl with dough-hook/or with hand-held mixer with dough-hooks/or by hand, mix 1/2 of the flour, honey, salt and water for 1 min until it comes into a thick batter.  Add the remaining flour and instant dry yeast, and knead on medium speed (or by hand) for 5 min until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Add the vegetable oil, then knead again for 6~7 min on medium-high speed (or 10 min by hand) until the dough is shiny, smooth, and tacky.  The dough should be warm and soft, but shouldn’t try to stick to your hands or the working surface too much.  If it does, knead in 2 extra tbsp of flour at a time, until it doesn’t.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let proof until doubled, approx 1 hour (the dough is warm so it will proof very fast!).

Dust the working surface lightly with flour then transfer the dough on top, and divide into 8 equal portions.  Roll 1 portion out into a very thin, round sheet, then rub a little vegetable oil over the top surface evenly with your hand, and sprinkle lightly with ground white pepper.  Roll the sheet into a log, then twirl it into a snail-shaped dough.  Pinch the end tightly underneath the dough and press it down slightly, then set aside on a lightly floured surface.  Repeat with the rest, and arrange them in the order they are made.  Cover them with plastic-wrap and let rest for another 20 min, during which they should slightly expand again.

Coat the bottom of a heavy skillet with a little vegetable oil, then heat over medium heat.  Starting with the first dough you made, arrange 2~3 in the skillet with 2″ (4 cm) of space in between, then cover with a sheet of parchment paper and place another pot that’s approx the same size over the top.  The parchment will keep the steam inside and help cook the buns, while pot keeps them in disk-shape.  Turn the heat down to low and cook for 5~6 min, until the first side is golden browned.  Remove the pot and the parchment (the buns should have expanded considerably in diameter), and flip the buns (NO need to put the parchment or pot back on) and cook for another 5 min until the other side is browned as well.  The thickness of the buns should be about the width of your toe.  Transfer to a cooling rack and repeat with the rest.  Can be made the day before.

*I’ve tried baking them in the oven, sandwiched between two baking-sheets, but the result just wasn’t the same.  The oven-method gave them a tougher crust, and a drier interior.

Related posts:

KHAO SOI NEUA/BEEF

Wontons for Him

APPLE PERSIMMON PIES

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51 responses to “XI’AN STYLE SMUSHED LAMB MEATBALL BURGER”

  2. I hate (what I really mean is absolutely love) this blog so much. Every time I see a picture I’m like what could she have possibly made this time, and of course it’s literally THE MOST DELICIOUS FOOD THERE EVER WAS. Mandy you’re amazing.

    Reply

  3. Ok, I always thought Shaoxing WAS chinese rice wine. Please explain the difference and what I should look for in CRW.

    Reply

    • Judith, Chinese rice wine is clear, colorless, and much more neutral in flavor. Shao-xing wine is light brown, with a notable taste that carries into the dish. So when you shop, look for clear (like water) wine that labels as rice wine, or cooking wine. Hope this helps.

      Reply

      • I am confused. You are talking about Shaoxing wine (a regional form of yellow wine or huang jiu) and clear colorless rice wine mi jiu.

        Shaoxing is Chinese and it is also rice wine. But so is mijiu.

        Reply

        • Chris, yes exactly! By rice wine, I wasn’t referring to how it’s made, but the name it goes by which is Mi-jiu. It’s a direct translation, whereas as shaoxing (or its division hua-diao or yellow wine/huang-jiu) is not called rice wine/mi-jiu.

          Reply

  4. I love how all your recipes are little projects with ridiculously satisfying results. And how well timed! Today is national hamburger day in America…cause we love having food theme days. Can’t wait to spend a Saturday making these! Thank you!

    Reply

  10. go get it girl!!! this looks SO good. just the kind of sandwich i could eat everyday. but then again, of course, i just don’t have to say that now, do i?! ;)

    Reply

  11. I can’t wait to try this; it’s everything I love!! And I still have chili oil left over from the won tons I made this week. You are making me a very successful cook at home — thank you!

    Reply

  12. I thought I was the only weird person out there who loooooooves English muffins as burger buns!!!! You need nice dense bread for a rich grilled meat :D

    Reply

  15. A question about the buns. Your recipe says to

    “Roll 1 portion out into a very thin, round sheet, then rub the top surface evenly with your hand, ”

    Do you want me to be rubbing the tops here to give it a little pat for a job well done, like they massage the Kobe beef cows? Or should I be rubbing with oil?

    Reply

  17. I love this burger! This is the only kind of burger I want to have!! Who needs a cheese burger! Who needs beef?? This is it! This is the one and only! You have done it again??

    I have a question or two. You used a lot of Indian type spices in the BRAISING LIQUID, so I wonder if instead of bay leaves would it be possible to use “Indian Bay Leaves”, tej pata? Another question, could I use Japanese rice wine? Is it similar, I wonder? I only know Shio-Xing.

    And I love those buns. What a fun way to make buns!! Sounds like a feast!

    Reply

  20. Oh ma gaaaaa! words don’t do justice to how fabulous these look. Can’t wait to make. I most certainly will. tremendous! You cook the most terrifically interesting food. Could I just use english muffins?

    Reply

  21. Hello, dropped from Local is lovely and this is pure eye candy! I am wondering, can the lamb be substituted for beef because I am dying to try this!

    Reply

  25. My sister made these for me. I wept tears of joy while I stuffed my face like there was no tomorrow. Thank you so much! When it’s my turn to cook for her next time, I’m going to try the beer duck.

    Lots of love from the north of Sweden!

    Reply

  27. Oh, also, when I do make this, I’m going to use whole coriander and cumin seeds because I like the way they taste better and they’re going to be drained off anyway. And anything I can make in advance, I will, so that the flavors have time to soak and mix and all that goodness

    Reply

  28. Oh lord… you got me after smushed and burger… can’t wait to see gravy running all over everybodies hands this weekend.

    Reply

  29. I will be making the burgers as soon as I shop for some ground lamb, but I did make the Xi’an Style Buns. They were very tasty and had a nice chew. I made your caramel soy sauce on some boneless country pork ribs and made a version of pulled pork on the buns and green onions–it looked like Peking duck in bun. You are such an inspiration for creating deliciousness–love your site.

    Reply

  30. Waoo!
    I was looking for a good recipe of the Dim Sum dough so difficult to get right… and I have found it on your blog… thanks a lot for sharing your experiences. A bit curious, I have clicked and felt on this page with these (what looks like) delicious buns. Miam! Like we say in french!
    If all your pages are so well done and attractive, I’m going to be fat very soon thanks to you! ihih ;)
    Thanks for sharing so nicely your new experiences in the kitchen!
    Florence (french living in Australia)

    Reply

  31. This is the first time I have ever written a review but on this one I just had to. Made this a couple nights ago and it was literally up there on one of the best things I have ever eaten! Soo freaking good! Mandy you are a food genius. Every recipe I have made of urs (although super labor intensive) was well worth my time in the kitchen and the million runs to the grocery store to get the right ingredients.

    Reply

  32. We made these tonight and they were great! Definitely a few hours labour of love hahaha! We used all pork because for some reason we could not find lamb anywhere around here…it’s usually everywhere in England lol! But the meatballs and that sauce are magical. I’m wondering how they’d be just as small meatballs over some rice or something…ooo maybe mash? :) I did have one issue with the peanut/sesame mixture. I’m not sure if it was my fault…I used tahini and a bit of toasted sesame oil to replace the paste we couldn’t find and for some reason the mixture split. We made it again and again it still got really thick on the verge of splitting. Was it the tahini? We also didnt do the ice so not sure if that could have been it? We still used it and it tasted good lol…also as a note we couldn’t find the rice wine so I used 1/4 cup of shaoxing with 1/4 cup water…the sauce was still magical so I can’t really comment on if it made a real difference :) Thanks so much sorry for the long comment lol

    Reply

  33. Loved the burger, my daughter made them for Fathers Day, so much flavor. I assume I can switch out the pork with beef? Thanks

    Reply

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