{"id":5411,"date":"2015-02-19T21:24:19","date_gmt":"2015-02-20T02:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/104.236.198.25\/?p=5411"},"modified":"2024-12-19T16:17:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T21:17:47","slug":"how-to-make-chinese-dumplings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omnivorescookbook.com\/how-to-make-chinese-dumplings\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Chinese Dumplings from Scratch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The ultimate guide to making Chinese dumplings from scratch. The dough can be used for both boiled dumplings (shui jiao, \u6c34\u997a) and potstickers (guo tie, \u9505\u8d34). The dumpling wrappers are tender and thin, with a silky mouthfeel.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In China, when we talk about dumplings, we\u2019re usually referring to boiled dumplings (or shui jiao, \u6c34\u997a)<\/b>. Not potstickers, not steamed dumplings, but boiled ones. We consider it a staple, a delicious alternative to rice and noodles. You might think boiled dumplings are not as tasty as potstickers. After all, potstickers have a nicely charred surface and crispy texture and look great, right? But to us, boiled dumplings are the ultimate comfort food that we eat every week. They\u2019re super delicious if you make them the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boiled dumplings are moist and juicy. With a small bite of a dumpling, the hot and flavorful soup will drizzle from the filling.  If you\u2019ve ever tried Shanghai soup dumplings (xiao long bao, \u5c0f\u7b3c\u5305), you know what I\u2019m talking about. The handmade dumpling wrappers are thin, tender, and delicious. The filling is well balanced with meat and vegetable, not too greasy, nice in flavor, and comforting. Everything works perfectly together to create a fulfilling, healthy, and hearty one-dish meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boiled dumplings are also the most important dish for celebrating Chinese (Lunar) New Year in northern China. My family eats them on New Year\u2019s Eve, when all the family members are gathered at home. It is a ritual comparable to that of the roast turkey at Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pronunciation of dumpling (\u997a\u5b50, jiao zi) phonetically also refers to the turning point between the old year and the new year. A dumpling is shaped like an ingot (the kind used as ancient Chinese money), and this shape symbolizes wealth. Eating dumplings is a way to bring good luck, so that everything goes well in the coming new year and that family can be together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As for the fillings that can be used for boiled dumplings, the list never ends. Today I\u2019ll give you a thorough introduction to making dumpling wrappers from scratch, wrapping dumplings, and cooking and storing them. So no matter which filling you prefer, you can always refer to this recipe to make dumplings. I will discuss dumpling fillings in another post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into dumpling making, I need to warn you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why you should NOT cook boiled dumplings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. It\u2019s not for beginners.<\/b> Unlike potstickers and steamed dumplings, boiled dumplings require quite some skills to wrap so that they won\u2019t fall apart during boiling. Unlike wontons, for which it is OK that they fall apart in the soup (because the soup is flavorful), a broken dumpling will lose almost all of its flavor. It will end up plain and tasteless.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. It requires a lot of work. <\/b><\/b>To put it more precisely, it requires teamwork most of the time. One reason is that the wrappers will dry out really fast. So, unless you\u2019re super fast, it usually requires two people for effective workflow – one person in charge of rolling the wrappers and the other person doing the wrapping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. It\u2019s time consuming<\/b>. If you make steamed buns<\/a>, you will find it only takes a few of them to make a filling meal. However, dumplings are small and super comforting, which means it\u2019s easy for one person to finish 20 of them in no time. Thus, you will need to make a lot of dumplings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    If you haven\u2019t closed the tab before reading this point, great! Let me explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why you SHOULD cook boiled dumplings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    1. They are delicious and comforting.<\/b> A properly made dumpling is really moist and even soupy. Compared to potstickers, their wrappers are thin and tender. The filling is very juicy and mouthwateringly good. It is the kind of comfort food that you\u2019ll want to eat after an exhausting day at work, on a cold winter day, and when you feel under the weather.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Teamwork is really fun and rewarding.<\/b> You can get everyone in the family involved and cooking this dish together, making the cooking easier and faster. Each person will be in charge of one step of the process, and there is plenty of time for chatting and laughter throughout. Then everyone will enjoy the delicious dish that each person worked together to create. Sound good to you?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. It\u2019s healthier and low in calories.<\/b> Dumplings contain a good amount of protein, vegetables, and carbs, so they are a nutrition-balanced one-dish meal by themselves. Unlike potstickers, they don\u2019t require any oil to grease the frying pan. So each dumpling contains fewer calories.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. It\u2019s delicious.<\/b> OK, I\u2019ve said this once already. But it\u2019s worth repeating!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Have I convinced you to cook some dumplings at home yet? If yes, keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Things you should take note of <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n