How to Make Pork and Chive Dumplings
Recipe Overview
Overview
Making Pork and Chive Dumplings is a delightful culinary adventure that combines history and flavor. The process begins with preparing the filling, where ground pork meets the vibrant taste of Chinese chives, complemented by garlic, ginger, and a touch of sesame oil. The key to a great filling is ensuring the cabbage is well-prepped—salting it to draw out moisture is essential for achieving the right texture.
Once the filling is ready, the fun part begins: folding the dumplings. This step can be a bit tricky, but with practice, you’ll find your rhythm. The dumpling wrappers are delicate, and the folding technique is crucial to ensure they hold together during cooking. Watching the dumplings steam in a bamboo steamer is a rewarding sight, and the aroma that fills the kitchen is simply irresistible.
When it comes time to serve, a quick dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil elevates the dish even further. These dumplings are not just a meal; they are a celebration of flavors and textures that bring people together. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or a cozy night in, Pork and Chive Dumplings are sure to impress.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Prepare Chinese chives, ground pork, salt, chicken stock, nappa cabbage, garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, dumpling wrappers, and ginger.
Chop nappa cabbage into small pieces.
Add salt to the chopped cabbage and massage it in to sweat out the water.
Tip: Add a generous amount of salt to the cabbage to help sweat out the water.
Drain the water from the salted cabbage.
Chop Chinese chives into small pieces.
Wash hands after handling raw meat.
In a bowl, combine ground pork, chopped chives, brown sugar, finely chopped ginger, chopped garlic, sesame oil, chicken stock, and drained cabbage.
Tip: Roll the cabbage in a towel to remove excess moisture before adding it to the filling.
Take dumpling wrappers and prepare for filling.
Fold the dumpling wrappers with filling, creating pleats towards the center.
Tip: When folding dumplings, make sure to fold towards the center for a better seal.
Tip: Use a bamboo steamer for a gentle steaming method that enhances flavor.
Set up a bamboo steamer over boiling water.
Place the dumplings in the bamboo steamer.
Cover and steam the dumplings for 10 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid from the steamer after 10 minutes.
Mix together Chinese vinegar, chili oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and scallions for dipping sauce.
Tip: Taste your sauce as you prepare it to adjust flavors to your liking.
Taste the sauce and adjust flavors as needed.
Serve the dumplings with the prepared sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Gluten
→ Substitution: Gluten-Free Dumpling Wrappers
Ingredient: Soy
→ Substitution: Coconut Aminos
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
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Interesting Tidbits
- •Pork and chive dumplings, known as jiaozi, have a history dating back over 1800 years to the eastern Han dynasty.
- •These dumplings were originally filled with lamb before evolving to include pork and chives.
- •Salting the cabbage helps to sweat out excess water, making it perfect for the dumpling filling.
- •The bamboo steamer is a traditional method for cooking dumplings, allowing them to steam evenly.
