Chinese dumplings, or jiaozi, are a cherished part of Chinese cuisine, enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course. These delightful pockets of dough are filled with a savory mixture of meat and vegetables, offering a range of flavors and textures. Whether boiled, pan-fried, or steamed, dumplings are versatile and satisfying, making them a staple in Chinese dining.
Originating in China over 1,800 years ago, jiaozi were traditionally consumed during Chinese New Year to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Today, they are enjoyed year-round, with various regional and personal adaptations. The process of making dumplings has been refined over centuries, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of China.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 cups finely chopped cabbage
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add warm water, stirring continuously, until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
2. Make the Filling:
- In a separate bowl, mix together ground pork, cabbage, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Form the Dumplings:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a long, thin rope. Cut the rope into small pieces, about the size of a walnut. Flatten each piece into a small circle. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal, creating a pleated appearance.
4. Cook the Dumplings:
- To boil, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add dumplings and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they float and the dough is cooked through. For pan-frying, heat a little oil in a skillet and cook dumplings until golden brown on the bottom, then add a splash of water and cover to steam until cooked through. To steam, place dumplings in a steamer basket and steam for 10-12 minutes.
5. Serve:
- Remove cooked dumplings with a slotted spoon. Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce, such as a mix of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.
Notes
- Adjust the dough consistency by adding more water if too dry, or more flour if too sticky.
- Finely chop the cabbage and scallions using a food processor for quicker prep.
- Dumplings can be steamed or pan-fried as alternatives to boiling.
Nutrition Information:
A typical serving of Chinese dumplings contains around 200-300 calories, depending on the filling and cooking method. They offer a balance of protein and vegetables, with a low fat and cholesterol content.
Nutrition Value:
1. For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour (2 cups):
- Calories: 910
- Carbohydrates: 190 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 2 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Minimal, mostly B-vitamins
- Minerals: Iron, calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: Provides a source of energy through carbohydrates and some protein. Iron contributes to red blood cell production.
- Warm water (1/2 cup):
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional Benefit: Hydrates and helps to activate the yeast in dough recipes.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional Benefit: Enhances flavor, but high sodium content can be a concern for blood pressure.
2. For the Filling:
- Ground pork (1 pound):
- Calories: 1150
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Fat: 100 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Cholesterol: 270 mg
- Vitamins: B-vitamins, especially B12
- Minerals: Iron, zinc
- Nutritional Benefit: Provides a high amount of protein and essential nutrients such as iron and zinc, which are important for muscle repair and immune function.
- Finely chopped cabbage (2 cups):
- Calories: 50
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin K
- Minerals: Calcium, potassium
- Nutritional Benefit: Low in calories and fat, high in fiber and vitamins, beneficial for digestion and overall health.
- Chopped scallions (1/2 cup):
- Calories: 16
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin C
- Minerals: Calcium, iron
- Nutritional Benefit: Provides antioxidants and vitamins that support immune health and bone strength.
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 10
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Minimal
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional Benefit: Adds flavor, but high sodium content should be used in moderation.
- Sesame oil (1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 120
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin E
- Minerals: Calcium, iron
- Nutritional Benefit: Provides healthy fats and antioxidants, which can support heart health.
- Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Minimal
- Minerals: Minimal
- Nutritional Benefit: Adds flavor without calories and provides acetic acid which can aid digestion.
- Grated ginger (1 tablespoon):
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Potassium, manganese
- Nutritional Benefit: Known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
- Minced garlic (2 cloves):
- Calories: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Manganese, calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: Provides immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon):
- Calories: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin K
- Minerals: Iron, calcium
- Nutritional Benefit: Adds flavor and contains compounds that may aid digestion and have antioxidant properties.
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