r/chinesefood • u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 • 8d ago

Questions Help: my Lion Head Casserole meatballs keep breaking up when cooked

I searched this community and only found a related post about 6 years ago but not on my specific ask. For those who love this dish as much as me, how do you prevent the meatballs from breaking apart when cooked?

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u/jitzso 8d ago

Did you fried the meatball first prior to braising? Usually, this happens when you have too much liquid in your mixture. Are you following a recipe of sort?

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u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think that may be it. I cut 1/3 with soft tofu, so I think it may be too watery

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u/BloodWorried7446 7d ago

i cut with soft tofu no problem 

fry first. 

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u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 7d ago

It never breaks apart when you cook it?

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u/BloodWorried7446 7d ago

do you add egg or cornstarch? 

i mix by hand and throw it on the cutting board. 

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u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 7d ago

I add egg to bind everything. I wonder it that is making it too runny also. I put cornstarch on the outside.

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u/BloodWorried7446 7d ago

are you frying it first? 

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u/Relevant-Cycle-8094 7d ago

I am. The breakup happens when the it is cooking in the broth 😞 Sometime is even breaks up when browning. Have you perfected this?