Chinese Dumpling Recipe
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