Steamed Pearl Balls

SERVES 14

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
* 1/2 lb ground chicken or turkey
* 1/2 cup finely chopped mushroom
* 1/2 cup minced green onion
* 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon minced peeled gingerroot
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
* steamed green cabbage leaf

Directions

1. Place 1/2 cup rice in a bowl; cover with water to 1 inch above rice, and let stand 1 hour. Drain rice well; place rice in a shallow dish, and set aside.

2. Combine chicken and next 7 ingredients (chicken through oil) in a large bowl; stir well. Drop chicken mixture by rounded tablespoons into rice, rolling to form rice-coated balls.

3. Line a bamboo steamer with steamed cabbage leaves. Place balls 1/2 inch apart in steamer; cover with steamer lid. Add water to a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch; bring to a boil. Place steamer in skillet, and steam balls 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove balls from steamer.