This is My secret way recipe and most Chinese traditionally eat dumplings for luck during the new year for symbolic meaning. Also served during any festival season, especially on new year's eve, which is believed to bring good luck and good health for the coming year. By the way, it's my all time favourite for any meal, first bite of this crispy, crunchy coating and piping hot, tender, juicy meat and the best ever!
Makes 55-60 (8cm wrappers)
Ingredients
(A)
For the wrapper dough
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 cup boiling water
1) In a big bowl, add plain flour, and then pour into boiling water, use a chopsticks to quickly stir well, until the water is incorporated. Rest for 5 minutes, and knead by hand for a few minutes.
2) Lightly sprinkle a work surface with flour and place the dough on top. Hold the rolling pin and firmly hit the dough until it is evenly flattened. Dust additional flour on top of and below the dough, and roll the dough out to a 0.5cm in thickness. Cut out using round-shaped cutters and slightly duct each of them or freeze in air-tight bad, next time stay in room temperature until soften back and then place filling on the centre and wrap whatever shape as you desire. Repeat with remaining dumpling wrappers and stuffing.
(B)
Stuffing
• 50g chives / 5 stalk spring onions
• 1000g pork belly / 800g pork loin steaks
(Trim any fat and sinew, cut meat into thin strips,
using a large sharp knife to cutting into small pieces)
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• a pinch of sea salt
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tbsp chicken granules
• 1 tsp ground white pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 3 tbsp water / dry sherry or mirin
• 1 whole egg / 1-2 tbsp corn flour
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
3) Mix (B) stuffing ingredients above, in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
4) Ready to wrap with the wrappers and place the dumplings to a floured tray or with grease-proof paper, keep it covered with cling film until stuffed all the dumplings to prevent them from drying out. To freeze, put them in a containers or zip lock bag before putting them in the freezer or cook immediately.
(C)
To make a water mixture
For pan fried the dumpling with crispy skin
• 4 tsp plain flour
• 1 cup water, stir well
5) Heat up the pan, and add vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Place the dumplings flat-side down into the pan. Cook for 3 minutes, then pour over a water mixture (C) and cover with the lid and simmer until the dumplings are tender, about 10-12 minutes for frozen dumplings. Uncover the pan, reduce the heat and cook for a further 5 minutes or until the dumpling's edges and bottom are lightly golden brown and into a crisp crust. Repeat for remaining dumplings. Serve with your favourite dipping sauces.
(D)
For dipping sauces
• ginger, (thinly slices)
• black rice vinegar, (chinkiang) light soy sauce, sugar and chilli oil or just adding sauce for dumplings, (Lee kum kee)
Helpful Tips:
You can make a big batch of these dumplings and freeze them in the freezer. no need to thaw at room temperature, Just straight to pan-fry and follow the step-by-step video instructional provided. They are perfectly served with ginger sliced with black vinegar.
