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Making Your Own Dumplings NOVEMBER 18, 2016 / EMILY NEIL / 
You may find you're feeling stuck in the same make-ahead meals. Whatever you make is changing someone's day for the better, but could it also change yours? By trying something new you'll be allowing your creativity to flourish, and will bring excitement to a recipient as they enjoy a fresh take. What's so great about dumplings is they truly allow you to work with your hands, creating a therapeutic experience. Beyond the aid of a fork at the finish, you won't need any fancy kitchen tools to make the special meal. They're also easy to make substitutions to depending on allergies or sensitives. The wheat wrappers can be substituted for rice, and the fillings can be changed without sacrificing flavour. This allows them to be gluten-free, dairy free and vegetarian all depending on your needs. Making homemade dumplings may seem like a daunting task, but the steps are simple. Follow this guide from eReplacementParts for a meal you'll be excited to share. If you plan on freezing, stop after prep and use the cooking directions when ready to enjoy! The recipes provided make 40, so you'll have plenty to share. How to Make Dumplings: These days, the almighty dumpling is one of the most popular foods out there. From frozen meals to takeout, they can be found whenever the craving hits. Luckily, you don't always have to trek to the restaurant or place a delivery order to enjoy them. Making dumplings yourself is surprisingly easy. By going homemade, you can use fresh ingredients according to your preferences. Before making your own, it's important to learn the basics. Conventionally, wheat-based dumpling wrappers are used. These are typically made with a simple duo of ingredients: water and all-purpose flour. You can find these wrappers in the Asian section of most grocery stores or specialty Asian groceries. Depending on the country of origin, the wrappers might state "dumpling," "wonton," or "gyoza" wrappers. Any of these options work fine. If you have a wheat allergy, rice-based wrappers are also available. Both work well for homemade dumplings. For each of the recipes below, you will need 40 wrappers. Proper construction is everything when it comes to making dumplings. To start, keep a small bowl of water nearby during the entire process. The water, which doubles as an adhesive, will be used for moistening the edges of each wrapper. Without water, each pocket of deliciousness will not be able to stay together. Like most traditional methods, the best methods require the most basic tools: your own two hands. This will help you shape each dumpling and press each one closed. If necessary, you can use a fork to aid in sealing each one. Otherwise, make sure your hands are free of any dirt and debris while you work.
To make basic beginner-friendly dumplings, opt for circle-shaped wrappers. Add one tablespoon of filling to the center of the wrapper. While it might be tempting, do not overfill each dumpling; otherwise, it may open and explode during cooking. Add some water to the edges and press closed into a half-moon shape. Need some practice first? Use loose ground sausage for a super simple recipe before taking on one of these mouthwatering recipes.
Traditional Chicken and Cabbage Dumplings
Ingredients
Filling Over medium heat, saute the cabbage in vegetable or canola oil. Pour soy sauce and water into the pan. Continue cooking until the water has evaporated and the cabbage has wilted. Once it browns, place the cabbage in a separate bowl and set aside. Add the chicken, minced garlic, green onions, white sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well. Construction Lay the wrapper on a flat, clean surface. Add one tablespoon of filling to the center of the wrapper. Wet one or two fingers with water and dampen the edge of the wrapper. Fold in half and seal by pressing the edges together. Set aside on a separate plate or metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat for the remaining dumplings. Cooking Add a small amount of vegetable oil to a pan over medium heat. Place dumplings in the pan until it is full; make sure it is not overcrowded. For best results, work in batches. Cook until bottom is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Turn dumplings over and pour 1/2 cup water into pan. Cover with a lid until water has almost evaporated and the dumplings are frying, at least 4-5 minutes. Uncover until the water has completely evaporated. Check to make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Bacon Cheeseburger Dumplings
Ingredients
Filling Combine ground beef, turkey bacon, cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well using hands. Follow the instructions for construction and cooking above.
French Onion Soup Dumplings
Ingredients
Filling Cut each onion into quarters. Cut each quarter in half. Saute onions in butter and oil over medium heat. Add Worcestershire sauce and beef broth to the pan. Cook over high heat until broth boils then turn back down, about 20 minutes. When onions are dark brown, remove from heat and let cool. Add cheese and mix. Follow the instructions for construction and cooking above.
These are just a few combinations for delicious dumplings, but as you can see, these versatile pockets of flavor can take on almost any theme! Once you get the basics down, get creative with your filling combinations.  |
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