Vietnamese Shrimp and Pork Dumplings

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 green onions, finely chopped 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 30 dumpling wrappers 30 dumpling wrappers
• Dipping sauce: Dipping sauce:
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili sauce (optional) 1 teaspoon chili sauce (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 18g, Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a food processor, pulse the shrimp until finely chopped. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. 2.
   Add the ground pork, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped cilantro, green onions, sesame oil, fish sauce, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the shrimp. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
3. 3.
   Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling mixture in the center.
4. 4.
   Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water and fold it in half, pressing the edges together to seal. You can also create pleats along the edges for a decorative touch.
5. 5.
   Repeat the process until all the filling is used.
6. 6.
   To steam the dumplings, place them in a steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Steam for 10-12 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.
7. 7.
   Alternatively, you can boil the dumplings in a pot of water for 6-8 minutes until they float to the surface.
8. 8.
   While the dumplings are cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili sauce (if using) in a small bowl.
9. 9.
   Serve the steamed or boiled dumplings hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp — Make sure to devein the shrimp properly to remove any grit or sand. Pat them dry before pulsing in the food processor.
• Dumpling wrappers — If using store-bought wrappers, keep them covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out while assembling the dumplings.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can prepare the filling in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.
• If you prefer a spicier dipping sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely chopped chili peppers.
• Serve the dumplings with a side of steamed vegetables or a refreshing cucumber salad for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese Shrimp and Pork Dumplings as an appetizer or as part of a dim sum spread. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with additional chopped cilantro and green onions for a vibrant presentation.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, steam the dumplings in bamboo steamer baskets and serve them directly in the baskets. This adds a touch of authenticity to the dining experience.