Meatball-Rice Soup

3/4 pound beef ground round

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon dry sherry

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons water chestnuts -- coarsely chopped

2 teaspoons cilantro -- (chinese parsley),

minced 1/4 pound fresh mushroom -- sliced

8 cups beef broth

1/2 cup long grain rice -- soak in cold water

for 30 minutes

1/2 pound chinese cabbage -- or iceberg lettuce,

coarsely chopped 1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

salt -- to taste