Mojo Meatballs with Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Carolina® White Rice
- 2 lb lean ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup onion, grated
- 2 eggs
- 1 serrano chili pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Citrus Mojo:
- 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 serrano pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
With a perfect balance of robust flavors, these Mojo Meatballs with Carolina® White Rice make a spicy yet refreshing meal that is sure to satisfy!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook white rice according to package directions.
Step 2
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine pork, breadcrumbs, grated onion, eggs, serrano, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Roll into 1-inch meatballs; arrange on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
Step 3
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Citrus Mojo
Step 4
In a blender, pulse together cilantro, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, serrano, garlic, sugar and salt until coarsely ground.
Step 5
Serve rice and meatballs with Citrus Mojo.
Recipe Tips
For multiple meals, make a big batch of meatballs and rice. Turn leftover meatballs into a Cuban-style stew with tomatoes and black beans. Serve with reheated rice.
Alternatively, serve meatballs, rice and citrus mojo together in burritos or enchiladas. Leftover rice can also be used in soups, stir fries, or as the base of a rice bowl.
How to Substitute Cilantro
Cilantro has established itself as an essential herb around the world, making its way into traditional dishes in Latin America, Asia, and northern Africa, to name a few. It packs so much punch that it’s unsurprisingly prevalent in so many recipes — especially those that bring out cilantro’s natural citrusy and peppery notes.
Not a huge cilantro fan? Don’t let that stop you from making this delectable dish! Throw in basil leaves in the meatball mixture if you want to highlight the sweet flavors. If you are looking to enhance the citrus notes, substitute parsley for the mojo sauce — an herb typically used to accent fresh produce. Keep in mind that parsley is on the milder side, so add a bit more lime to get the full flavor experience!
This recipe highlights the importance of balance: it boasts many flavors – citrus, garlic, and cumin – without any one ingredient being overwhelming and delivers a perfect harmony of sweet and spicy. If you can’t get enough of this combination, try the Mojo Chicken and Yellow Rice Bowl.
Reusing and Repurposing Rice
The ever-versatile Carolina® White Rice is prepared separately, and because you can reheat leftover rice, don’t be afraid to make extra to reduce cooking time for later meals. After all, nothing is better than knowing there is food waiting for you at home after a long day! Toss leftover rice in a wok, stir into a soup, use as a base for a rice bowl or make them into rice pudding with leftover rice. With endless possibilities, you’ll never grow tired of your favorite recipes!
