Savory Spinach Dumplings

Ingredients

In this Canadian Chinese adaptation of the traditional Italian dish, tortelli d'erbetta, we incorporate the bold flavors and spices commonly found in Canadian Chinese cuisine. The original dish typically uses a pasta dough for the dumpling wrapper, while our adaptation uses a thinner and more delicate wrapper commonly used in Chinese dumplings. Additionally, we infuse the filling with ginger and garlic to enhance the flavors and give it a distinct Canadian Chinese twist. We alse have the original recipe for Tortelli d'erbetta, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water 1/2 cup (120ml) warm water
• 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, blanched and finely chopped 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, blanched and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and warm water. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. 4.
   In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, salt, black pepper, Chinese five-spice powder, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix well to create the filling.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a thin circle.
6. 6.
   Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges by pressing firmly.
7. 7.
   Steam the dumplings in a steamer basket for 10-12 minutes, or until the wrappers are cooked through and the filling is hot.
8. 8.
   Serve the Savory Spinach Dumplings hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Spinach — Make sure to blanch the spinach before chopping it to retain its vibrant green color and remove any bitterness.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.
• Serve the dumplings with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil for an extra burst of flavor.
• To save time, you can use store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making the dough from scratch.
• Experiment with different fillings such as mushrooms, tofu, or water chestnuts to add variety to your dumplings.
• Leftover dumplings can be pan-fried for a crispy texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Savory Spinach Dumplings as an appetizer or as part of a dim sum feast. Arrange them on a platter and garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the dumplings in a circular pattern on a serving plate, with a small bowl of dipping sauce in the center. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color.