There’s something about dumplings that makes one happy. These juicy and delicious parcels are a joy to feast on no matter what the occasion.
They evoke memories of lavishly furnished rooms filled with the bustle of conversation over steaming bamboo pots and teacups of freshly brewed tea.
Much like watching a symphony at work, sharing a plate of dumplings with family and friends is a food experience that is absolutely awe-inspiring.
Flavours and pairings
These sweet and gloriously juicy parcels of meat or seafood are best paired with a vinegar dressing and a light touch of ginger to balance out the flavours. Plus, a tiny hint of chilli.
Best served with a really good pot of Chinese tea.
Ingredients
- 300g prawns (without the shells)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornflour
- 2 spring onion stalks, finely sliced (half for the prawn mix, half to serve)
- Dumpling or Gyoza wraps
- 1 inch-sized ginger, finely sliced into thin slivers
- 6 tablespoons light soy
- 1.5 tablespoons black vinegar
- 3 red bird’s eye chillies, finely sliced
Method
- Prepare the dressing by combining light soy, black vinegar and ginger. Set aside.
- Chop up the prawns. This should be a rough chop (not a fine paste) in order to allow the prawns to retain some body when cooked.
- Add to a mixing bowl with garlic, sesame oil and half the spring onions. Then add salt and cornflour before mixing well to combine everything.
- Prepare the dumplings by adding about one teaspoon of the prawn filling to a round dumpling wrap.
- Brush the edges of the dumpling wrap with a little water, then seal by crimping the sides. This should make about fourteen dumplings.
- Bring a pot of water to a medium boil. Then add the dumplings. Cook a few at a time so as not to overcrowd the pot.
- They’re ready as soon as they rise to the surface (after two to three minutes).
- Pour a little of the soy and vinegar dressing over the freshly cooked dumplings. Then top with the remaining spring onions and chilli before serving.
@theorangesieve serves up recipes from the heart, inspired by travels near and far. It’s all about food that humbly invites you to discover the truth about flavour, that is: the people, the culture and the stories behind them. The kind of food that leaves you with a smile for reasons you can’t quite put your finger on.