Mushroom Tofu Jiaozi Chinese Dumplings Recipes

MUSHROOM TOFU JIAOZI (CHINESE DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Boil water and revive the mushrooms by putting them in a capped container with the hot water. When they're revived, cut them into small strips.
• Soften the bean thread noodles with some hot water.
• Use the remaining hot water to blanch the mung bean sprouts.
• Cut up the tofu into small (7mm square) cubes.
• Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, except for the wrappers. Optionally add a beaten egg to make it stick together better.
• Make the dumplings: put a small quantity of this mixture in dumpling wrappers, and then pinch the sides together, sometimes a little cold water will help them stay stick together.
• Boil a pot of water and throw small batches of the dumplings into the water. They're ready when they float. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon or strainer and then make another batch. Excess dumplings can be frozen.

BEIJING-STYLE PORK & SHRIMP JIAOZI (CHINESE DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Clean the cabbage, chop it, and put it in a large non-reactive pot with salt Set it aside and let it sweat out water for 45 min or so (you can prepare this ahead).
• If you're using a meat grinder, feed the shrimp, pork, garlic, onions, and ginger through the meat grinder, getting everything to be a smooth, yet chunky mixture. If you're using a food processor, you're going to half way freeze the meat, and chop each ingredient on it's own, and then mix them in a pasta bowl. Traditionally, all these ingredients are minced and chopped using a large cutting board and a cleaver. However you do it, it's up to you.
• Put the meat and veggie mixture into a a large bowl. Add the salt, soy sauce, egg and sugar to the mixture.
• In a heavy skillet, heat up the oil. Add the spice powders and toast the spices. Pour this mixture hot over the meat mixture in the bowl, and stir inches.
• Drain the cabbage, rinse it and drain again. Mix it in to the meat mixture.
• (Optional step) Make the dumpling wrappers: mix together 1 1/2 cup flour and pinch of salt and then slowly add just enough water to result in a springy dough. Knead it a lot to make the gluten stringy and strong. Roll the dough out into a long rope, cut the rope apart into ping pong ball sized pieces. Flatten the pieces out into small flat discs, and flour a table or cutting board, and roll them out using a beer bottle or small rolling pin. As you make them, hand them to the person wrapping the dumplings. Or just buy the pre-made wrappers.
• Wrap the dumplings in the dumpling skins, pinching together the sides and tucking in the ends.
• Cook the dumplings: boil a pot of water. Drop the dumplings in, they are ready when the float to the top of the pot. Don't boil too many at once, or they'll stick together. Scoop them out with a strainer, so you can use the water for the next batch.
• Serve with soy sauce, dipping sauce, raw garlic (for true Northern Chinese style eating!), chili sauce, or cut up green onions.

POT STICKERS (CHINESE DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Filling:.
• Combine the following ingredients: pork, shrimp, egg white, water chestnuts, chinese celery, cilantro, ginger, sugar, salt, sesame oil. Add a pinch of pepper to season.
• Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
• Assemble:.
• You will put together 4 at a time, so in the meantime, be sure to cover the rest of the wrappers with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying up.
• On a clean surface lay 4 wrappers out. Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling in the center of each one.
• Brush the edges of each wrapper with water and fold in half over the filling.
• Pinch the edges together to make half-circles.
• Place completed, ready-to-cook potstickers on a baking sheet with the seam side up and cover with a clean dry towel, while you finish assembling the remaining potstickers.
• Cook:.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a 1 1/2 tablespoon oil. Add one half of the potstickers, seam side up. Cook until the bottoms are golden and crispy~ approximately 4 minutes.
• Add 1/3 cup broth to pan and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until liquid is absorbed~ approximately 5-6 minutes.
• Transfer cooked potstickers to a platter and cover.
• Repeat- cooking remaining potstickers.
• Dip: Into your favorite dipping sauce. Try my recipe #312966.

WILLIAM CAI'S TOMATO AND EGG JIAOZI (CHINESE DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Whisk eggs, then stir-fry in oil and set aside.
• Blanch tomatoes, remove skins, and mince.
• Combine eggs and tomatoes, and drain liquid.
• Season with sugar and salt.
• Stuff dumpling skins with egg and tomato mixture, and pinch sides together to form half-moon shape. Seal well. (A bit of water on your forefinger helps.).
• Bring large pot of water to a boil.
• Drop in dumplings in batches and boil until they float. With slotted spoon, remove to platter.
• Eat dumplings with chopsticks, and dip in small bowls of black vinegar. (Dipping sauce may also contain soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped fresh cilantro, and/or red chili flakes in oil).