Smashed Shrimp Shumai Food

SHRIMP SHUMAI AND PORK POT STICKERS WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the shrimp shumai filling: Whisk to combine the egg whites and cornstarch in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Add the shrimp to a food processor and pulse into a chunky paste. Transfer the shrimp to a medium bowl and stir in the cornstarch and egg white mixture.
• Stir in the garlic, scallions, lemon zest, lemon juice, ginger, soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.
• To determine if the filling is seasoned well, make a small patty, about 2 tablespoons. Place a small saute pan over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. Once heated, add the tester patty and cook on both sides until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a paper-towel-lined plate, then taste. Adjust the seasoning of the remaining filling with soy sauce if needed.
• For the pork pot sticker filling: Mix to combine the pork, soy sauce, ginger, sambal, garlic, scallions, egg whites, water chestnuts, bell pepper and cilantro in a large bowl.
• To determine if the filling is seasoned well, make a small patty, about 2 tablespoons. Place a small saute pan over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. Once heated, add the tester patty and cook on both sides until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and place on a paper-towel-lined plate, then taste. Adjust the seasoning of the remaining filling with soy sauce if needed.
• To make the dipping sauce: Combine the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and sambal in a container, then cover and shake to combine. Set the dipping sauce aside while you assemble the dumplings.
• To cook: Place half of the wonton wrappers on a clean surface and add about 2 teaspoons of the shrimp filling to the center of each wrapper. Brush the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold and pleat as you gather the wrapping around the filling, leaving the top of the filling uncovered. Gently tap the shumai on your work surface, flattening the bottom and allowing it to stand upright, and form into a basket shape.
• Place the remaining half of the wonton wrappers on a clean work surface and add about 2 teaspoons of the pork filling to the center of each wrapper. Working one at a time, brush the edges of the wrapper with water and fold over to make a half-moon. Pinch the edges to pleat and close the filling into the center.
• Line each tray of a bamboo steamer with a round of perforated steamer parchment paper or the cabbage leaves, if using, and cover with the lid. Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to a boil in a large, wide pan. Set the bamboo steamer over the pot. Continue to add water as needed.
• Working in batches, place the shrimp shumai in the steamer and cover with the lid. Steam the shumai until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the pork pot stickers and pour in 1/4 cup water. Cover the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, then remove the cover and cook until the remaining water has evaporated and the bottom of the pot stickers are golden and crisp.
• Serve the shrimp shumai and the pork pot stickers with the dipping sauce.

SHRIMP SHUMAI

Steps:

• To make the soy-mustard sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside.
• To make the filling, cut the shrimp into bite-size pieces, then roughly chop until the shrimp become almost paste-like but with some small pieces visible. You can also use a food processor, which will give it a smooth texture, but I prefer the more coarse texture you get from chopping by hand. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and mix with a spatula until the shrimp become very sticky.
• Add the scallions, water chestnuts, and mushrooms to the shrimp and mix well. Then add the following ingredients, mixing well between each addition: lard, sake, ginger juice, sesame oil, and egg white. Finally, mix in the salt, pepper, and potato starch.
• Meanwhile, place the baby bok choy in a bowl and cover with cold water; let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• To assemble the shumai, lay a wonton skin on the counter (cover the remaining skins with a damp towel to keep them from drying out). Place 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of the wonton skin. (Soak the spoon in water while you're assembling a shumai. This will make it easier to transfer the filling to the wonton.) Hold the wonton skin with the filling with your fingers and gently press the skin to form a small cup. Set the shumai on a cutting board and turn it clockwise while carefully pressing the sides together, creating a tighter cup. Wet a finger with water and use it to gently smooth the top of the shumai. Repeat with the remaining wonton skins and filling.
• To cook the shumai, heat a stove-top steamer over high heat, bringing the water to a boil. Brush the bottom of the steamer basket with a small layer of the vegetable oil and add the shumai, leaving 1 inch of space between each. Cover and cook for 3 minutes, then drain the bok choy and add to the steamer. Cover and cook for 3 minutes longer, or until the shumai are cooked through.
• Remove the bok choy from the steamer and gently squeeze inside a towel to remove excess moisture. Top with a pinch of salt. Place each bok choy in the center of 4 small plates and arrange 6 shumai around it. Garnish the plates with a pinch of black sesame seeds and serve with the soy-mustard sauce on the side.