Steamed Chinese Dumplings Discovery Cooking from www.discoverycooking.com
Introduction
Chinese dumplings, also known as jiaozi, are a popular Chinese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. These dumplings are made by wrapping a filling of meat or vegetables in a thin layer of dough and then steaming, boiling, or frying them. They are a staple food item during Chinese New Year celebrations and are also enjoyed year-round as a snack or appetizer. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed recipe for making Chinese dumplings at home.
Ingredients
The following ingredients are needed to make Chinese dumplings:
1 pound of ground pork
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of rice wine
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/4 cup of chopped scallions
1 package of dumpling wrappers
1/4 cup of water
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Optional Ingredients
If you want to make vegetarian dumplings, you can substitute the ground pork with chopped mushrooms, tofu, or a combination of both. You can also add other vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, or spinach to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
Instructions
Follow these instructions to make Chinese dumplings:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, cornstarch, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chopped scallions. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling in the center. Use your finger to moisten the edges of the wrapper with water.
Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges together to seal the filling inside. You can also crimp the edges or create a pleated design for a more decorative look.
Repeat the process until all the dumpling wrappers are filled.
To cook the dumplings, you can either steam, boil, or fry them. For steaming, place the dumplings in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 10-15 minutes or until the filling is cooked through. For boiling, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the dumplings. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the dumplings float to the surface. For frying, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the dumplings and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Remove the dumplings from the heat and serve with dipping sauce.
Notes and Tips
If you are having trouble sealing the edges of the dumplings, you can use a fork to press down on the edges and create a tighter seal.
If you are making a large batch of dumplings, you can freeze them for later use. Place the dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
You can also experiment with different dipping sauces such as soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, or a combination of all three.
Nutrition
Here is the approximate nutritional information for one serving (4 dumplings) of Chinese dumplings made with ground pork:
Calories: 250
Protein: 14 grams
Carbohydrates: 31 grams
Fat: 7 grams
Sodium: 400 milligrams
Fiber: 1 gram
Conclusion
Chinese dumplings are a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Making dumplings at home may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and patience, you can become a dumpling-making expert in no time. Whether you are celebrating Chinese New Year or simply craving a tasty snack, give this recipe a try and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
