Puerto Rican Chinese Dumplings

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Russian dumboy is transformed into a fusion dish by incorporating Puerto Rican and Chinese flavors. The original dumboy typically consists of a simple meat filling wrapped in dough and boiled. However, in this Puerto Rican Chinese version, the filling is enhanced with Puerto Rican and Chinese seasonings, such as sofrito and soy sauce, to create a more complex and flavorful profile. Additionally, the dumplings are steamed instead of boiled, resulting in a softer and juicier texture. We alse have the original recipe for Dumboy, so you can check it out.

• 1 pound (450g) ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken) 1 pound (450g) ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) sofrito 1/2 cup (120ml) sofrito
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped bell peppers (red and green) 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped bell peppers (red and green)
• 1/4 cup (40g) finely chopped onion 1/4 cup (40g) finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup (40g) finely chopped scallions 1/4 cup (40g) finely chopped scallions
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package dumpling wrappers 1 package dumpling wrappers

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, sofrito, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, chopped bell peppers, onion, scallions, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the meat filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water and fold it in half, sealing the edges tightly. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
3. 3.
   Place the dumplings in a steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Steam the dumplings for about 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the wrappers are tender.
4. 4.
   Serve the Puerto Rican Chinese Dumplings hot with your choice of dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or sweet chili sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground meat — Use lean ground meat for a healthier option. You can also mix different types of ground meat for a more complex flavor.
• Sofrito — If you can't find pre-made sofrito, you can make your own by blending together onions, bell peppers, garlic, cilantro, and culantro.
• Dumpling wrappers — Look for dumpling wrappers in the refrigerated section of your local Asian grocery store. If unavailable, you can make your own wrappers using a mixture of all-purpose flour and water.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the dumplings from sticking to the steamer basket, line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your favorite flavor combination.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, you can pan-fry the dumplings after steaming for a few minutes on each side until golden brown.
• Make a large batch of dumplings and freeze the uncooked ones for later use. Just place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag.

Serving advice

Serve the Puerto Rican Chinese Dumplings as an appetizer or as part of a main course. They pair well with a side of steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.

Presentation advice

Arrange the steamed dumplings on a platter and garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro for a pop of color. Serve them with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side.