Friday, February 8, 2013

DUMPLINGS! Chinese New Year!


Jiǎozi 餃子 Dumplings

Individually steamed, delightful nuggets of yum! Dumplings are an easy, delicious way to celebrate this Chinese New Year... or anytime. My kids helped me with these- that's how simple they are. I told them to think of dumplings like easy, edible, origami.  They were sold and they ate them one after the other. 

1 pkg wonton wrappers (Unless you are fortunate enough to HAVE dumpling wrappers or POT STICKER wrappers, USE THOSE! Good luck finding them in a regular grocery store) 
1-1.5 lbs ground pork
3 tsp salt
3 cloves fresh garlic
2 tsp fresh, ground ginger 
1/4 cup Teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup sliced scallions 
1 small bowl of water

Combine the above raw ingredients together in a large bowl, EXCEPT the water. Take out a wonton wrapper and with your fingertips, coat the edges of the wrapper with water. Scoop out in 1/2 teaspoonfuls and dollop out the ingredients onto the middle of the wrapper. Next, follow the steps below: 








It's perfectly fine to have a few "interesting" looking ones. The kid's aren't the best at making or sealing these, so, you will have to press them closed so they don't bust open in the boiling process. The beautiful thing is that they will taste the same either way. 

Once they are finished, put on a large pot of boiling water.  Drop the dumplings in the water in small batches. Let them boil for 5 minutes, pat them dry and EAT!

 To make the dipping sauce combine:
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 tsp grated ginger root
1/4 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
A few sliced scallions


If you wish to make wonton soup, follow the same directions and visit my Easy Wonton Soup Recipe!