Homemade Steamed Dumplings

Ingredients

• 300g (10.5 oz) all-purpose flour 300g (10.5 oz) all-purpose flour
• 180ml (6 fl oz) water 180ml (6 fl oz) water
• 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork
• 100g (3.5 oz) cabbage, finely chopped 100g (3.5 oz) cabbage, finely chopped
• 50g (1.8 oz) shiitake mushrooms, soaked and diced 50g (1.8 oz) shiitake mushrooms, soaked and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper 1/4 tsp white pepper
• Dipping sauce (soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil) Dipping sauce (soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 1g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the flour and water. Knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the ground pork, cabbage, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Set aside.
3. 3.
   Roll out the dough into a long cylinder shape. Cut it into small pieces, about 2.5cm (1 inch) in diameter.
4. 4.
   Take one piece of dough and flatten it with your palm. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin circle, about 8cm (3 inches) in diameter.
5. 5.
   Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the dough circle. Fold the dough in half and pinch the edges together to seal the dumpling.
6. 6.
   Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
7. 7.
   Prepare a steamer and line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Place the dumplings in the steamer, leaving some space between them.
8. 8.
   Steam the dumplings over high heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the dough becomes translucent and the filling is cooked through.
9. 9.
   Serve the steamed dumplings hot with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground pork — Make sure to use lean ground pork for a healthier option. If desired, you can substitute it with ground chicken or turkey.
• Cabbage — Finely chop the cabbage to ensure it cooks evenly and blends well with the other ingredients.
• Shiitake mushrooms — Soak the mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes before dicing them. This will soften them and enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can use store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making the dough from scratch.
• Experiment with different fillings by adding ingredients like shrimp, tofu, or water chestnuts for variety.
• To prevent the dumplings from sticking to the steamer, line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves.
• Serve the dumplings immediately after steaming to enjoy them at their best texture and flavor.
• Leftover dumplings can be frozen and steamed again when desired.

Serving advice

Serve the steamed dumplings as an appetizer or as part of a main course. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an attractive presentation. Provide a variety of dipping sauces to enhance the flavors.

Presentation advice

Arrange the steamed dumplings neatly on a serving platter, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or sesame seeds for a pop of color. Serve with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side.