Foamy White Steamed Rice And Bean Dumplings Food

FOAMY WHITE STEAMED RICE AND BEAN DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• 1. Pick clean and wash the beans. Put them in a bowl and add water to cover by at least 2 inches, and let them soak for 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans.
• 2. Add the beans and 1 1/3 cups water to the container of a food processor or blender and puree them. The puree should be extremely smooth, light, and fluffy. Transfer to a large bowl.
• 3. Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth and put the cream of rice cereal in it. Hold the sieve under cold running water right in the kitchen sink. Rinse the cereal until no clinging starch is remaining and the water begins to run clear through the cheesecloth. Squeeze the rice cereal thoroughly of all moisture and add it to the bean paste. Beat the bean and rice mixture thoroughly. Add salt if desired. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm place for 8 to 12 hours to ferment the batter.
• 4. When you are ready to make the dumplings, stir the baking soda gently into the batter, using a rubber spatula. (Do not overblend as the batter must remain foamy and airy for the dumplings to come out light.) Let the batter rest for 4 to 5 minutes.
• 5. While the batter is resting, cut pieces of cheesecloth into neat rounds or squares to fit the depressions of the idlee dumpling racks. Each piece of cheesecloth lining can be used twice. Therefore you will need half as many pieces for lining as the number of dumplings. The cheesecloth pieces should be slightly larger than the depressions so that they overhang by about 1/3 inch.
• 6. Line the dumpling racks with the pieces of cheesecloth. Brush them lightly with oil. Bring water to a boil in the idlee steamer, a pressure cooker, or a 6- to 8-quart sauce pot in which the idlee racks fit.
• 7. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter into each lined depression of the rack. Attach the racks and place in the steamer.
• 8. Steam the dumplings for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into them comes out clean. Remove the racks from the steamer apparatus and separate the dumpling racks. Pick up each dumpling with the cloth and gently peel away the cheesecloth. Place the steamed dumplings in another steamer or a covered dish to keep them warm.
• 9. Turn the cheesecloth pieces over and line the racks with the smooth reverse side up. Brush lightly with oil. Proceed with the remaining batter the same way.
• To serve, place the dumplings (2 per person) in a rimmed soup plate or a shallow bowl about 5 inches in diameter. Make an indentation in the center of the dumpling with your index finger or with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil in the depression and over the dumplings.

STEAMED RICE AND BEAN DUMPLINGS IN SPICY LENTIL AND RADISH SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Pick through, clean, and wash the split peas. Put in a large saucepan. Add the turmeric and water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook, partially covered, for 40 minutes at a low boil. Stir occasionally to make sure the peas don't burn; when the peas are very soft, turn off the heat. Beat with a whisk for a minute to puree the peas. In a separate bowl, measure the puree and add enough water to make 6 cups of brothy puree. Return the puree to the pan.
• 2. Measure out the spices and place them right next to the stove in separate piles. Turn on the burner and bring the puree to a boil. Add the sambaar powder, the coriander, and the garlic and continue to boil the puree, partially covered, over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions, radishes, tomatoes, fenugreek leaves (if you are using ground fenugreek seeds, do not add them now), and salt, and continue cooking at a low boil for an additional 10 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• 3. Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. When it is hot, add the chili pods and fry until they turn dark (about 15-20 seconds). Lift the pan off the heat, add the mustard powder and fenugreek powder if you are using it, and immediately pour the contents of the pan over the sambaar (the split pea mixture). Stir to mix. Cover and let the dish rest a few minutes so all the flavors will have time to blend.
• To serve, bring the sambaar to a vigorous boil, stir in the lemon juice, and pour it into a soup tureen or serve individually in katoori (small bowls). Serve the dumplings, idlee, 2 per person, in soup plates. Spoon sambaar over the dumplings as desired.

COCONUT RELISH

Steps:

• 1. Put coconut, yogurt, coriander leaves, chilies, salt, and hot water into the container of an electric blender, and blend until finely pureed. Put into a small serving bowl.
• 2. Heat the ghee or oil over medium-high heat in a small frying pan. When it is very hot, carefully add mustard seeds. Keep a pot lid or splatter screen handy, since the seeds may splutter and splatter. When the seeds stop spluttering and turn gray, immediately pour the ghee and seeds over the coconut puree. Mix thoroughly, check for salt, and serve.
• Note: This relish may be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Remove from refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving.

STEAMED PORK & SCALLION DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together the ingredients for the dipping sauce, making sure the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
• Add the scallions, garlic, ginger, hoisin, soy sauce and sesame oil to a small food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• Add the beaten egg and mix to combine.
• Add the pork and mix to combine.
• Fill a small bowl with water and lightly flour a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of a wrapper. Dip your finger in the water and use it to moisten the edge of the wrapper.
• Pinch one end tightly to seal and then make several pleats to close up the filling entirely. Flatten out the bottom. If not pleating, simply fold one half of the wrapper over the filling and press together to seal.
• Set the dumpling on the prepared baking sheet and cover with a damp towel while you continue filling the rest.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup of water to the pan, then place 6-7 dumplings in the water. Cover with a clear lid and let steam for 10 minutes, without lifting the lid.
• Continue with the remaining dumplings. Serve with the dipping sauce.
• You can freeze any uncooked dumplings and cook them later using the same method, but steaming for an additional 1 - 2 minutes longer.

PAN-STEAMED VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS WITH SOY DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine ingredients for dipping sauce and set aside.
• Prepare the dumplings by heating a large, non-stick wok over medium-high heat. Swirl in the canola and sesame oils and add ginger and garlic. Stir fry for about 10 seconds and stir in mushrooms and cabbage for 3 minutes.
• Add the sake and cook, stirring, for 3 - 4 minutes until liquid evaporates. Next add the scallions and the carrot and stir-fry about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add soy sauce. Allow mixture to cool.
• Place 1 teaspoon of the vegetable mixture in center of a wrapper. Moisten edges of wrapper with water and fold unto half circles. Place on baking sheet sprinkled with cornstarch. Keep wontons covered with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
• Spray skillet with nonstick spray heat over medium-high heat. Add 10 dumplings to the skillet and cook until browned on one side. Add 1/3 cup water to the skillet and cover with lid. Reduce heat to medium and cook until liquid evaporates (3 -4 minutes).
• Serve dumplings with dipping sauce.