Cool Chinese Dumpling Recipe for Hot Summer Days

Sometimes, it’s just too hot to fire up the wok.  Too hot to even venture out to your local Chinese restaurant.  Yes, you could have your Chinese food delivered.  But, sometimes, you just want to stay home and make something delicious, and nutritious to feed your minions or your party.

We all love dumplings, so try out this specially adapted Summer Dumpling recipe.

Recipe for Summer Dumplings

(makes about 80 dumplings, depending on wrappers used)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head of Napa cabbage
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 pound fresh ground turkey or other ground meat
• 1 bunch scallion, chopped
• 1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons minced ginger
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 packets round dumpling wrappers (most brands have 30-45 wrappers per package)
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the dipping sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or other hot chili sauce

Preparation of the Summer Dumplings:

1. Cut the cabbage crosswise into thin strips. Toss in a large bowl with salt in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. Take handfuls and wring out the moisture. Dump out any remaining water in the bowl. Combine the cabbage with the turkey, scallion, cilantro, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, pepper and eggs. Mix well with a large spoon or, preferably, your clean hands.
2. Set yourself up in a spacious work area with the dumpling wrappers, a little bowl of water and a large cutting board or cookie sheet. Grab a helper or two. Lay out a dozen or so dumpling wrappers. Place about 1 tablespoon filling in the center of each wrapper. Dip your fingertip in the water and trace the outside edge of the wrapper with water. Fold the wrapper over to make a half circle and make a pleat at the top of the curve. Pinch in the sides then lift up the edges to meet the center, creating a pouch. Pinch the top together and bend out the sides slightly to curve.
3. Heat a skillet over high until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon oil (a little less if using a non-stick pan) and coat the sides. Place enough dumplings in a single layer to line the pan, then stand back and carefully pour in a 1/2 cup of water (enough to immerse the dumplings by 1/2-inch.) Cover and cook until the water is absorbed.
4. Holding the pan with a hot pad, place a large plate or platter as a cover on the pan and invert. Scrape the dumpling out with a spatula (careful of non-stick surfaces.)
5. Repeat with the remaining dumplings.
6. To make the dipping sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
7. Serve dumplings hot with the dipping sauce.

11 second video taken by The Chinese Quest on their recent visit to the New World Mall Food Court in Flushing, New York on how to fold dumplings:

If this recipe is too advanced for you, please check out our world’s easiest recipe for Chinese dumplings!

Do you have any favorite Chinese recipes for Summer time?  Please share, we’ll give you proper credit, and links back to your website and/or blog.

Humbly submitted for your consumption,

—Mee Magnum  (“Chop!  Chop!”)