Shao Mai Pork Dumplings Food

SHAO MAI (PORK DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Combine the pork, water chestnuts, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, sugar, ginger, cornstarch, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well to combine (hands work well for this). Place a dumpling wrapper in the palm of one hand and cup it loosely. Place a generous tablespoon of filling in the center of the wrapper. With your free hand, gather the sides of the wrapper around the filling, letting the wrapper pleat naturally. Squeeze the middle gently and tap the dumpling to flatten the bottom so that it can stand upright. The meat filling will show a little at the top. Make the remaining dumplings in the same manner.
• Arrange filled dumplings about 1/4 inch apart in two steamer trays that have been lined with wet cheesecloth. (At this point, you can refrigerate dumplings, covered, for 24 hours.)
• When ready to steam, fill a wok or lower part of a steamer with water so that it comes within an inch of the steamer tray, and bring to a rolling boil. Stack the steamer trays in the wok or steamer, cover tightly, and steam dumplings for 20-25 minutes over high heat, reversing the trays after 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer dumplings to a platter and serve with Spicy Dipping Sauce.
• Combine ingredients in a small bowl and serve with Pork Dumplings.

STEAMED PORK AND MUSHROOM "SIU MAI" DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the filling: In a large bowl, combine the pork, ginger, rice wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, mushrooms and scallions. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix well.
• For the dumplings: Take 1 wonton wrapper and place 1 heaping teaspoon of the filling in the center. Then gather up the sides of the wonton wrapper and mold around the filling into a ball shape, leaving the center exposed. Dip your finger in some water and run it around the top of the wonton wrapper. Fold the excess wrapper down and pinch the wonton wrapper around the filling firmly to prevent it from opening up and separating from the filling when cooked. Top each dumpling with a goji berry.
• Oil the bottom of a bamboo steamer and/or line it with a piece of perforated parchment paper. Place the dumplings in the steamer, cover with a lid and place over a pan or wok of boiling water (making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer). Steam the dumplings until cooked, 7 to 8 minutes.
• For the dipping sauce: Meanwhile, combine the chili and soy sauces in a bowl. Serve with the dumplings.

STEAMED PORK DUMPLINGS WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix first seven ingredients (pork through ginger). Place 2 teaspoons mixture in each wrapper. Fold in half, and pinch edges with tucks to form a standing half-moon shape. Seal the edges with a bit of cold water.
• Place the dumplings on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and refrigerate.
• Oil the steamer, or line the bottom with cabbage leaves so the dumplings won't stick. Place dumplings in steamer, and steam at medium heat for 20 minutes. Makes 46 dumplings. Drizzle with Garlic-Soy Dipping Sauce. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cilantro, if desired.
• To make Garlic-Soy Dipping Sauce, combine ingredients and stir. Let stand 5-10 minutes before using to give the garlic time to permeate the soy sauce.