Pork Dumplings
Making dumplings from scratch is easier than you might think, especially if you take advantage of purchased dumpling wrappers and one or more of our prepared dumpling dipping sauces. You can find dumpling wrappers in the refrigerated sections of most well-stocked grocery stores and almost any Asian market. They are often labeled as pot sticker wrappers or, at Japanese stores, as gyoza wrappers. Both work equally well.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. (500 g) ground pork
- 1/4 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) chopped green onions, white and light green portions
- 1 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tsp. peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbs. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- About 24 round dumpling wrappers
- Thai chile lime, ginger sesame or spicy sweet sour dumpling dipping sauce for serving
Directions:
In a bowl, stir together the pork, green onions, cilantro, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Place a dumpling wrapper on top of an open dumpling press and spoon 1 tsp. of the shrimp mixture onto the center of the wrapper. Close the press to seal and crimp the dumpling. Transfer the dumpling to a platter and cover with a damp paper towel. Repeat with the remaining filling and the remaining wrappers, transferring the dumplings to the platter as they are assembled.
At this point the dumplings can be frozen if desired. To freeze, arrange the dumplings in a single layer, not touching, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze. When the dumplings are firm, transfer them to sealable plastic bags and freeze for up to 1 month.
When ready to serve, in a sauté pan or wok large enough to hold a steamer basket or in a ceramic steamer, bring water to a simmer. Arrange some of the dumplings in a single layer in the basket, leaving some space between them. Set the basket in the steamer, cover tightly and steam the dumplings until the filling is firm and the pork is cooked through, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and keep warm while you cook the remaining dumplings.
Serve the dumplings immediately with the dipping sauce alongside. Makes about 24 dumplings.
William-Sonoma Test Kitchen