Celebrate World Dumpling Day with this easy recipe

Dumplings, in all their varied forms, represent a universal language of comfort, tradition, and flavour. Whether you’re biting into a steaming hot Chinese xiao long bao, savouring a Polish pierogi, or enjoying a plate of Italian ravioli, dumplings offer a taste of home, no matter where you are.

With today being World Dumpling Day, why not try this easy-to-make dumpling recipe? The beauty of dumplings is that there’s no one right way to make them. You can stick to traditional methods or get creative with your fillings and shapes. To get you started, here’s a classic recipe for Chinese Pork and Chive Dumplings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup warm water (plus a little more if needed)
• 2 cups ground pork
• 1/2 cup chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Soy sauce and chili oil for dipping

Method

Prepare the dough:

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with warm water, stirring to combine until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Prepare the filling:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped chives, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, ginger, garlic, salt, and white pepper.
2. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Assemble the dumplings:

1. Divide the dough into small, even pieces (about 30). Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it with your palm. Use a rolling pin to roll out each piece into a thin circle, about 3 inches in diametre.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in the centre of each circle.
3. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape.
4. Press the edges together to seal, pleating the edges if desired.

Cook the dumplings:

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Arrange the dumplings in the skillet in a single layer, flat side down. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
2. Carefully add water to the skillet and cover immediately. Reduce the heat to medium and let the dumplings steam for about 5 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the filling is cooked through.
3. Serve the dumplings hot with soy sauce and chili oil for dipping.

Source: The Citizen