Do you like dumplings? - pot stickers (pork and chive filling)

Yes, we do!!  I love dumplings!! So do my kids, my parents, my in laws, my hundred relatives, my friends and my hubby Josh.  I can make at least 10 different filling -- pork & chive, pork & cabbage, pork & celery, pork & squash (and beef, chicken, shrimp, lamb etc). My friends love my vegetarian dumplings. I have made steamed dumplings, pan fried dumplings, deep fried dumplings, boiled dumplings and roasted dumplings.... OK, I'll tell you how I make dumplings.

Ingredient :
1. Ground pork                    1 lb
2. Ginger                             1 tbsp
3. Soy sauce                        2 tbsp
4. White pepper powder     1/2 tsp
5. Salt                                  a bit
6. Water                              2 tsp
7. Dumplings wrap             1 pack (about 30pcs)
8. Chive                              1/2 handful

Step by step :
1. Meat filling : Prepare a big bowl.  Combine the ground pork, ginger, soy sauce, white pepper powder and water.  Use your hand to mix well (clockwise) for about two minutes until the meat is a bit sticky(**).  This mixing process is very important.

** It is hard to explain in English what will happen when you stir the ground pork over two minutes. The meat will generate kind of "glue" and "white tissue".  If you stir it too long, the meat will be too dry and won't taste good.  Or just don't worry about it!! After stirring for 2 mins, the meat will be like what I said.  And then, put the chive into it and mix them well.

2. Chive : Wash and pat dry with clean towel or paper towel.  Cut into small pieces. Combine the chives and meat together and stir well.

3. Making dumplings :  

Take a dumpling wrapper, put a small portion of meat in the center. Then dab a bit of water on the edge of wrap.

Fold it in half and seal the edge well.





Use the arc between your thumbs and index fingers to hold the edge of wrapper, cross your thumbs, and press hard to seal the dumplings.

 Flour the tray (to keep the dumplings from getting stuck.)






4. Making pot sticker :   
Prepare a frying pan, pouring on a very thin layer of oil. Heat the pan to medium high.  Fry dumplings for 1 minute.

Pour water to cover 1/4 of the height of the dumplings.

Cover with lid and reduce heat.  Cook until the water boils away.  Be careful to not burn the dumplings.

The bottom of the dumplings will look like this.
Serve with dipping sauce. Here is a simple dipping sauce recipe
2 tsp ground garlic,
2 tsp ground ginger,
2 tbsp soy sauce,
1 tsp honey or sugar,
1 tsp sesame oil.                      Mix them well.
If you like spicy taste, you can put some chili sauce or chili oil on the dipping sauce.   

Enjoy it!