Dumplings

Dumplings

45 min
Dumplings are Chinese comfort food at its best. With limitless possibilities for variation and experimentation, it’s a fun meal to prepare and eat with family and friends.
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Instructions

  • Shred and finely chop the cabbage. Thinly slice the onion. Peel and finely grate the ginger and garlic. Put everything in a bowl and add the mince, sugar, sesame oil, fish sauce, chilli flakes, and salt. Mix well.
  • Lay out a few wonton plates at a time and place a heaping teaspoon of filling in the middle. Moisten the edges with a little water. Pinch upwards to form a dumpling. Steam for 10-12 minutes.
  • Whisk together the ingredients for the dipping sauce.
  • Fry the broccoli in butter & rapeseed oil for 2-3 minutes. Add finely grated garlic and chili flakes. Fry for a few minutes more. Season to taste with salt.
  • Serve dumplings with dipping sauce and chilli-fried broccoli.
Enjoy!
Tip

You can also deep-fry your dumplings. Simply just fry them in a flavour-neutral oil for about 3-5 minutes or until they float to the top.

Dumplings

What are the two types of dumplings?
There are too many types of dumpling variations to count. But one way of dividing dumplings into two groups is by the method of cooking: boiled or steamed. By boiling the dumplings in water for 5-6 minutes, they come out sticky and delicately cooked, ready to dip in your favourite sauce. The other way is steaming. But what about pan-fried dumplings? This is actually another way of steaming: the dumplings can steam in the lidded frying pan, with oil added to give a crispy, brown surface on one side of the dumplings.
Are dumplings Japanese or Chinese?
Dumplings – dough filled with various combinations of meat and vegetables – are traditionally eaten in many cultures around the world. Today, the Chinese steamed dumpling or jiaozi is no doubt the most famous and loved version, served far and wide in restaurants and food stands. It has ancient roots, as a side dish or snack. The Japanese gyoza dumpling is a more recent invention, often pan-fried and with a distinctly Japanese taste.
Can you freeze dumplings?
Dumplings are handy to freeze before cooking. After preparing the dumplings, they can be pre-frozen, separated on a tray with parchment paper, until the dough hardens. This way, you prevent them from sticking together. Then put them in a freezer bag or container and store them for up to three months.

Ingredients

Filling
Pointed or white cabbages
about 50 g
Lettuce heads
3
Fresh ginger
50 g
Garlic clove
1
Pork mince
500 g
Caster sugar
1 tbsp
Sesame oil
1 tbsp
Fish sauce
1 tbsp
Chilli flakes
½ tsp
Salt
1 tsp
Defrosted wonton dough about 300 g
1 pack
Dipping sauce
Sour cream
3 tbsp
Lime fruits, squeezed
2
Japanese soy
75 ml
Caster sugar
1 tbsp
Chilli flakes
1 tsp
Chilli-fried broccoli
Tenderstem broccoli
250 g
Butter & rapeseed oil
2 tbsp
Garlic cloves
2
Chilli flakes
Flake salt

Different sauces for homemade dumplings

Dipping sauce is essential when serving dumplings. It comes in a wide range of style and flavours for you to experiment with. The kind of sauce you make will determine the character of your meal: from sweet and savoury comfort to lively and challenging heat. Some ingredients are found in many dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, chilli oil, and rice vinegar. Honey or sugar is often added for sweetness while ginger, garlic, green onions, and coriander can add a bit of flavour and bite. There are also tomato-based chutneys, often quite spicy, that you can try. For authentic heat, nothing beats the unique Chinese Sichuan pepper. For a milder palate, try hoisin dipping sauce.

The best vegetarian dumpling variations

The key to a tasty dumpling is a good balance and combination of flavours, with a juicy but firm texture. While there are plenty of meat and seafood dumplings out there, a good vegetarian or vegan dumpling is an absolute treat. Common veggie ingredients include cabbage, green onions, carrot, daikon radish, spinach and shiitake mushrooms. If you eat eggs, they are great for adding extra texture. Garlic and ginger are often included to liven up the taste. The variations are endless and which ones are best is up to you.

How to store dumplings

Dumplings are best if you cook them fresh, without refrigerating between preparation and cooking. If you want to prepare dumplings in advance, the best solution is to freeze them in a freezer-safe container, with the dumplings separated by parchment paper. You can cook the dumplings straight from the freezer, adding 1-3 extra minutes of cooking time. Once cooked, the dumplings will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. In the freezer, both cooked and uncooked dumplings will keep for about three months.