Boiled Garlic Chive Dumplings
VEGETARIAN DUMPLING FILLING:
2 bunches finely chopped garlic chives (regular chives can be
substituted)
2 small packs (1 1/3 ounces each) mung bean noodles, soaked soft and
cut into 1/2-inch strands
1 cup re-hydrated black mushrooms, de-stemmed and finely diced
2 tablespoons minced ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons thin soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 egg
COLD WATER DOUGH:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cold water
SPICY SOY DIPPING SAUCE:
1/3 cup thin soy sauce
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup sliced scallions
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sambal
In a large bowl thoroughly mix all ingredients - aside from those in
the Cold Water Dough and the Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce - together by
hand. Cook a tester to check for seasoning.
MAKING THE DUMPLINGS: Place a small mound of
filling in the middle of the wrapper. (Be very careful not to touch
the edges with the filling, as this will impede proper sealing of
the dumplings. Nothing is worse than dumplings breaking during
cooking.) Fold the wrapper in half to form a half moon shape.
Starting on one end fold/pinch the wrapper tightly together. Proceed
with this fold/pinch method until the dumpling is completely sealed.
There will be approximately 10 to 14 folds per dumpling. Rest the
dumplings with the folded edges straight up.
COOKING THE DUMPLINGS: Use a large stock pot with plenty of water.
Add a small handful of salt, as if you were cooking pasta. Make sure
the water is at a rolling boil before adding dumplings. Once the
dumplings are dropped, gently stir so that they do not stick
together or stick to the bottom. Do not try to boil too many at a
time, as it will take too long to cook resulting in soggy dumplings.
Overcooking also causes the dumplings to break apart.
For the Cold Water Dough: In a stainless steel bowl, mix flour and
salt. Slowly add cold water to flour in 1/4 cup increments. Mix with
chopsticks until a ball is formed. On a floured surface, knead dough
until it becomes a smooth, elastic ball. Place back in bowl and
cover with a damp cloth. Allow dough to rest for at least 1 hour.
Working on a floured surface with floured hands, roll out dough to
form a long 'noodle', 1 inch in diameter. Cut 1/2 inch pieces and
turn them over so cut sides are facing up. Flatten with your palm
and roll out thin using a rolling pin. The dumpling wrapper should
end up about 3 inches in diameter. For the Spicy Soy Dipping Sauce:
Combine all and serve in a small bowl.
PLATING: Serve dumplings on a large platter lined
with lettuce with a bowl of dipping sauce on the side. One family
tradition is the serving of the dumpling 'broth' at the end of the
meal since inevitably some of the dumplings do break and flavor the
water. Waste not, want not. |