Fragrant Pork, Lemongrass & Sesame Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 240°C/ 220°C (fan)/ 475°F/ Gas 9

Bash the lemongrass with a rolling pin, cut it [them] down the middle lengthways, remove the tough outer layers (keep them for later!) and chop the softer inner stem[s] roughly

Peel and roughly chop the garlic

Peel the ginger (scrape the skin off with a teaspoon) and roughly chop 

Cut the red chilli[es] in half lengthways, de-seed (scrape the seeds out with a teaspoon) and chop roughly

Combine the chopped lemongrass innards, chopped garlic, chopped ginger and chopped chilli (can't handle the heat? Go easy!) and chop everything together until you are left with a finely chopped mixture – this is your aromatic mix 

Add the pork mince to a bowl with the panko breadcrumbs, half of the soy sauce and the aromatic mix and give everything a good mix up 

Divide the pork mixture into 6 [12] and shape into meatballs

Spread the toasted sesame seeds over a large board and roll the meatballs into the seeds to lightly coat them – these are your pork & sesame meatballs 

Add the outer lemongrass layers to a pot (with a lid) with the basmati rice and 300ml [600ml] cold water and bring to the boil over a high heat 

Once boiling, reduce the heat to very low and cook, covered, for 10-15 min or until all the water has absorbed and the rice is cooked

Once cooked, remove from the heat and keep covered until serving

While the rice is cooking, heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a drizzle of vegetable oil over a medium-high heat 

Once hot, add the pork & sesame meatballs and cook for 3-4 min, turning occasionally, or until they're browned all over

Meanwhile, cut the broccoli into quarters, lengthways, then cut each quarter again, so you end up with 8 [16] broccoli wedges

Add the broccoli wedges to a baking tray with a drizzle of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt 

Transfer the browned meatballs (keep the pan!) to the tray with the broccoli and put the tray in the oven for 10-15 min or until the broccoli is crispy – this is your charred broccoli 

While the meatballs are cooking, combine the honey with the remaining soy sauce – this is your honey-soy dressing 

Wipe the reserved pan clean and return it to a medium heat 

Once hot, add the honey-soy dressing and cook for 1-2 min or until warmed through