When I run out of idea of what to make for dinner, I will scour my freezer for items for emergency use. Chinese meat ball is one of those item. It can be fish ball, pork ball, squid ball or beef ball. You can find all these meat balls in Chinese groceries store.

Almost all kids like meat balls. I will not get objections from Arkensen or Nanzaro when I made this Pork Ball Spinach Soup.

Making this Pork Ball Spinach Soup is simple. It only has 3 ingredients:

• a handful of anchovies
• store bought meatballs
• a bunch of spinach
• a dash of white pepper or salt to taste

I made the soup base by boiling a handful of anchovies for 30 to 45 minutes. Just briefly rinse the anchovies before adding to 4 to 5 cups of waters. These anchovies are from Malaysia. I always ask friends who travel from Malaysia to bring them for me. I cant find the same variety here. Anyone of you know where I can buy this type of anchovies in the Lower Mainland?

Once, the broth has been flavoured by the anchovies, strain the broth into another pot and discard the anchovies. Add the meatballs and let them boil for another 10 to 15 minutes. Add the spinach and boil for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle the soup with a dash of white pepper and you have a pot of Chinese soup that kids enjoy. You may season the soup with a tiny bit of salt depending on the saltiness of the anchovies.