Dumplings

February 11, 2014 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this but…even though I’m Chinese, I’d never made dumplings at home before. I was keen to try them though, as they’re a traditional Chinese New Year dish, so when this video appeared in my email feed, I was inspired to have a go…

. . . . .

I followed the instructions for the filling provided in the video, but I bought wrappers rather than making my own. At just $1.69 for 32 pieces, these locally made ones were silky smooth to work with…

The ingredients list for the filling was quite long, and we made some substitutions based on what was available in our garden. Our dumplings were filled with:

400g free range pork mince
bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
cornflour (cornstarch)
fine sea salt
sugar
white pepper
water
dry sherry
dark soy
light soy
sesame oil
chopped bok choy
minced garlic
garlic chives
baby perennial leeks

The ingredients were all combined in a large bowl and stirred together with a pair of chopsticks. Make sure you add enough water to give the mixture a soft, scoopable texture…

A little cornflour was mixed with water and used to moisten the perimeter of each wrapper before folding…

Pleating the skins takes a little practice. The video provides clear instructions, but I’d previously had a lesson from Carol’s son Nick, the Grand Poobah of dumpling shaping…

As I made the dumplings, Pete cooked them.

His tip for cooking the perfect potsticker is to slowly fry the dumplings in a little oil until the bottoms are very brown and the skins start to puff up (which means the filling is starting to boil and cook). Then add half a cup of water (it will sizzle like crazy) and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. The water will evaporate away in a minute or so, and the dumplings will be ready…

We made nearly sixty dumplings, and ate them all for dinner that night. We’ll definitely be making them again – the boys loved them!

Posted in Recipes | 96 Comments

96 Responses

on February 11, 2014 at 12:12 am findjoyinfood

I am absolutely going to make these. yum!!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  They’re fun to make! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 12:15 am Mo

I have made them in the past, always with purchased wrappers. They are yummy and the best part is that they freeze well so can be done ahead.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:50 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Mo, I’ve had a few friends tell me to freeze them, I’m definitely going to have to try next time.
on February 11, 2014 at 12:27 am andreamynard

Brilliant Celia, my daughter will love making these with me – she’s been wanting to ever since they made a version for Chinese New Year at school. Thank you x
ps yours are so beautifully folded, ours won’t come near that perfection!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Andrea, of course they will! Mine are still a little bit wonky, but I’ve promised to make more for my folks this weekend, so I’ll be getting in more practice! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 12:32 am sallybr

Celia, they turned out PERFECT! I tried making them once, also with store-bought wrappers, but my folding technique was…. let’s see, how should I put it? Pathetic? Yeap, pathetic will do.

I gotta watch the video and try it again, I must have Chinese genes because this type of dumpling is my number one favorite food ever. Ever. Forever.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sally, the video has really clear instructions, and they work really well! I think you DO have Chinese genes! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 2:06 am Debby

These look awesome! Shall have to give them another go as it has been too long!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Debby! Making them was quite meditative.. :)
on February 11, 2014 at 2:18 am Tandy | Lavender and Lime

So amazing to make your own! I need to practice my skills with chopsticks for stirring and cooking :)
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Tandy, the Chinese always stir with chopsticks when they’re cooking – I remember watching Ming Tsai do it on his show as well!
on February 11, 2014 at 2:37 am marilynscottwaters

These are divine. I can totally see vegetarian versions of these and meat ones for the carnivores. Did you do a dipping sauce? M
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maz, I dipped them in chilli sauce (Lingams), but the boys dipped in light soy.. xx
on February 11, 2014 at 4:18 am Chica Andaluza

Oh wow they look absolutely amazing – I think I’m feeling inspired again by you (if I can track down some wrappers)!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Chica, they’re usually available in Chinese grocery stores, but if not, the video has easy instructions on how to make your own. I was just being lazy.. :)
on February 11, 2014 at 4:56 am Sophie33

Your dumplings are so beautifully shaped on top: AMAZING, Celia! x
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Sophie! xx
  - on February 12, 2014 at 6:15 am Sophie33
    
    :)
on February 11, 2014 at 5:29 am Danielle

Love the video! Your dumplings look so professional Celia, I can’t believe that was your first go at making them, it looks like you’ve been making them for years. Drooling here!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Danielle, it’s my first attempt to make them from scratch, but I did help Carol fill hers a month ago (which is when I had the lesson on pleating from Nick). She inspired me to try making them from scratch!
on February 11, 2014 at 6:07 am Liz Posmyk of Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things

Well, for your first time, these are outstanding and I could just grab some chopsticks and dive in, love!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks darling, they were great fun to make. Trying again this weekend!
on February 11, 2014 at 6:48 am IshitaUnblogged

Better late than never! Looks very good Celia :)
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 7:16 am theintolerantchef

They certainly look the business Celia- especially with such even pleats on top! I can’t believe you haven’t made these before? I bet now you know how easy-and yummy- they are, you will be making them a lot :) xox
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, I know. I’ve certainly eaten enough of them! My mother used to make wontons for soup when I was growing up, that’s the next thing to try, I think…
on February 11, 2014 at 7:27 am Norma Chang

Beautifully pleated dumplings. Have not made dumplings in a long while you just inspired me, thanks.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Norma, they’re perfect eating in almost any weather! I’d love to know what you put in yours!
on February 11, 2014 at 7:49 am Roz MacAllan

I have been making dumplings for some time now and freeze a batch so we have instant ingredients for soup, what a time saver and John loves them so much when I mention soup he gets animated!! He is always animated Celia.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Roz, I so want to make wonton soup next! Love your John! xx
on February 11, 2014 at 8:46 am Sandy

I LOVE the look of your dumplings! Great work for a first-timer!!!!!!
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Sandy! They were great fun to make, we’re trying again this weekend!
on February 11, 2014 at 8:50 am spiceandmore

For a while we had a Chinese cleaner who loved to make dumplings. One of her jobs was always to make a big pile of dumplings for us so at the end of the day we would have a clean home and lots of yummy dumplings. The kids loved it. She made her own dough and was so skilled with it. Her filling always had shredded wombok (Chinese cabbage) mixed with the pork mince. It made for a lighter filling. Ahhh just remembering them makes me hungry.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:58 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You’re too funny, I can just see you saying, “ok, don’t worry about the bathrooms, just make sure the dumplings are made..” :)
on February 11, 2014 at 10:17 am nancy@jamjnr

You pleat like a professional Celia. Doesn’t seem to matter how many dumplings you make they always get eaten. I’m a big fan of Jamie’s Food Tube too.
- on February 12, 2014 at 5:59 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Nancy, isn’t it great? And the River Cottage guys have just joined in as well. I love that it’s only ever a five minute clip, and everything feels so approachable!
on February 11, 2014 at 10:37 am Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder)

G’day and congrats Celia and making something “on the list” :)
Love your pleating and love dumplings too! YUM!
Craving some right now!
Cheers! Joanne
- on February 11, 2014 at 10:53 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I don’t believe in having a “list”, Jo… :) But thank you, they were great fun to make!
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2013/04/03/a-retrospective-bucket-list/
on February 11, 2014 at 10:44 am dishnthekitchen

you must be joking that you’ve never made dumplings before! Those look amazing….and delicious.
So inspiring!
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I had a dumpling shaping lesson a month ago at Carol’s house from her son Nick, but yep, first time we’ve ever tried to make our own. The video made it seem so easy!
on February 11, 2014 at 11:59 am lapetitecasserole

May I say that even though you didn’t do the dumplings before, your first try is a masterpiece… they are perfect!
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! I’m hoping I can repeat it on the weekend when my folks come over! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 12:23 pm hotlyspiced

I’m starving. I’d love to eat a platter of these right now. I’m sure I could make them but I don’t know about the pleating. I’d love to give these a try because these are very, very moorish xx
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Charlie, you’d nail these in a heartbeat – the video is very clear. The only thing we did differently was to wet the rim of each skin with a little cornflour slurry – it helps the edges to stick together.. xx
on February 11, 2014 at 12:53 pm Glenda

Hi Celia, the diversity of your skills is amazing … though … you are Chinese. However, that does not account for your bread making skill or your cake making skills or your chocolate tempering skills or your …
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Glenda, my mother is always disappointed that I’m not MORE Chinese. But hey, I’ll get there.. ;-)
  - on February 12, 2014 at 12:41 pm Glenda
    
    Poor mums! If every child turned out just like they imagined, it would be a boring world
on February 11, 2014 at 1:50 pm Jacqueline

Where did you find the locally-made wrappers, Celia? (Although maybe I don’t want the answer… it would just encourage me to make, then eat, several dozen in one sitting ;O))
- on February 11, 2014 at 2:18 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jacqueline, I bought them in Flemington at one of the Asian supermarkets there (the one opposite the duck shop in the arcade). You can buy them almost anywhere though, I think! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 2:17 pm Jane @ Shady Baker

Right Celia…that is it…if I can find Gow Gee Pastry at my supermarket I am making these! They look so delicious and so perfectly made too! x
- on February 11, 2014 at 2:19 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, if you can’t find them, you could always make the dough – the video clip has very clear and simple instructions! I was just being lazy.. :)
on February 11, 2014 at 2:56 pm savorthebestcooks

Perfect pleats! The baking soda must be what makes the meat so wonderfully tender in dumplings. I will have to give this a try.
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! According to the video, the combination of baking soda and cornflour give the filling its velvety mouthfeel…
on February 11, 2014 at 4:40 pm Manuela

Lovely dumplings. Such nice even pleats! I make something similar using only mince and lots of finely chopped onions and sometimes cubed potatoes; plus spices. These are steamed, then eaten.
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Manuela, we’re yet to try straight steamed ones, might give them a go on the weekend. Pete is keen to try different fillings, so we’ll have a go at that next.
on February 11, 2014 at 5:01 pm Rose

Celia you are so artistic!
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks hon. Not artistic, just pretty good at copying! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 5:10 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

I have made dumplings but I’ve never “tied” my own. I always use a dumpling press. I’m very impressed. :)
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  My mum used to have a dumpling press too! I think the boys stole it years ago for playdough, and it’s never been seen since.. :)
on February 11, 2014 at 5:53 pm Joanna

Oh my they are so wonderful – I really really want to make dumplings like you – Do you think, this sounds crazy, but, in my freeezer I have packets of home made tortelloni filling, which are languishing waiting for me to make pasta and I haven’t done it, do you think I could use that filling just as a sort of practice run?
- on February 11, 2014 at 7:52 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Of course you could try! I’m not sure how it would taste, but definitely worth experimenting with! It’s just fun to pleat them, a bit like origami! :)
  - on February 13, 2014 at 4:23 am Joanna
    
    We are eating them now, with my capaletti filling,chicken and pork and spring onion for extra luck, lip smacking going on :-)
on February 11, 2014 at 6:31 pm Stefanie

Hi Celia, when I have time I make a big batch of prawn dumplings which I then freeze which makes for quick dinners when we are too tired to cook. I have always been quite chuffed at my efforts but looking at your lovely dumplings with the pretty pleats I’ve been put to shame! I make very basic looking ones in comparison :) I will have to try this method.
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Stefanie, until Nick showed me how to make them, I had no idea how they were done. It’s worth giving them a go – the technique is actually quite easy, but it does make us look clever..(and it will impress an Asian mother!).. ;-)
on February 11, 2014 at 7:59 pm thefoodsage

There is something about the names of certain foods that make them all the more irresistible – and ‘potsticker’ dumplings fall full face into that category – don’t you agree? We’re big dumpling lovers in this house, though i haven’t made them for a while. Might just have to make up for lost time at the weekend. Thanks for the nudge!
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Rachel, I’m hoping to make more this weekend too – might even have a go at stocking up the freezer with some! :)
on February 11, 2014 at 9:23 pm Jas@AbsolutelyJas

Beautifully folded dumplings Celia! I always try to have a stash of home made dumplings in the freezer, they are perfect for a quick, easy and healthy dinner on the fly :)
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jas, thank you, I’m going to have to give the freezer thing a go. I quite like the idea of being able to defrost some for a quick lunch. Wouldn’t work for dinner though – the boys need a huge batch, and I’m not sure my freezer is big enough! :)
on February 12, 2014 at 1:06 am Pat Machin

These are yet another thing I have never made and I’ll buy some wrappers the next time I get to a Chinese supermarket (we don’t have one locally).

I love them!
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Pat, hope you enjoy making them as much as I did! The video is really good!
on February 12, 2014 at 4:54 am EllaDee

Yum :) I love dumplings but it never occurs to me to make them, I leave it to the experts… but then you are one most definitely one of those :)
- on February 12, 2014 at 6:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You’re kind love, thanks, but not an expert yet! Still practicing! :)
on February 12, 2014 at 8:33 am dianeskitchentable

Do you have some sort of video feed into my kitchen Celia? My husband thankfully does the grocery shopping for me as the huge supermarkets are just too much for me to maneuver & I had planned on making some sort of enchilada. I asked him to get the wrappers but he brought home these small one & now I know exactly what to do with them. I’ve never tried anything like this before so wish me luck!
- on February 12, 2014 at 7:35 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You won’t need luck! Honestly Di, the video is really good – I wasn’t intimidated by the prospect of making them at all! :D
on February 12, 2014 at 11:14 am Nancy/SpicieFoodie

I love dumplings but have never made them. Thanks for sharing your recipe, it’s pinned to try soon!:)
- on February 12, 2014 at 7:36 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Nancy, I hope you enjoy them – not my recipe, but it really IS a goodie! :)
on February 12, 2014 at 12:32 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

I’ve made them before (actually I used to quite a bit) but not for many many moons…years. Gosh, maybe a decade?
They look the business Celia :-)
- on February 12, 2014 at 7:37 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks hon! I’ve been asked to make more over the weekend! :)
on February 12, 2014 at 9:11 pm whilehewasout

These dumplings look wonderful, I always envied the folding technique ;)
- on February 13, 2014 at 5:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you! Don’t envy, it’s not very hard, it just looks a bit tricky! :)
  - on February 13, 2014 at 8:20 pm whilehewasout
    
    :D
on February 12, 2014 at 11:13 pm Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

Celia these look so good…Happy New Year..belated!
- on February 13, 2014 at 5:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Norma! Hope you’re well! xx
on February 13, 2014 at 10:24 pm Emilie@TheCleverCarrot

I was in the grocery store yesterday, and I couldn’t help buying two bags of frozen potstickers! I just couldn’t get them out of my head after seeing this post. There is a ton of snow outside as I write this, and since we will be staying indoors this will be our treat today. Thanks for the idea! Your dumplings look so professional and that filling sounds wonderful. Well Done! xx
- on February 15, 2014 at 6:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Emilie, it looks so cold where you are, do stay warm! Hope you enjoy your potstickers! :) xx
on February 14, 2014 at 10:51 am Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

One of Katherine’s favorites. I need to try these.
- on February 15, 2014 at 6:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Cheers Greg! Hope she likes them! :)
on February 14, 2014 at 11:18 am GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway)

You are so clever!
The dumplings look absolutely perfect. I can’t imagine being able to do such a good job… these are hubbies favourite food at the moment.
- on February 15, 2014 at 6:34 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Julie! I’m planning to make a stack this weekend and stash them in the freezer!
on February 16, 2014 at 1:19 pm Jane @ Shady Baker

Hello again Celia. I made these last night and they were delicious. I couldn’t establish a great pleating technique and as it was quite warm I didn’t want the pork mince sitting on the bench for too long. So, I simply joined the edges, without the pleating, this was fine but perhaps did not look as professional as it could have! I added a little chopped coriander, not strictly Chinese but a tasty addition. I bought the wrappers…I was very happy to see them in my local Colesworth.

I have made dumplings before but I think the addition of baking soda and cornflour is a ‘game changer’ for me. Once again you have pointed me towards a great recipe, a useful resource in that video and something new x
on February 24, 2014 at 9:33 pm My Kitchen Stories

Oh I knoew you’d be good at that pleating cause I’ve seen you fold Chinese lanterns!. Wow you must have had a really yummy dinner
on March 1, 2014 at 7:12 am In My Kitchen March 2014 | Zeb Bakes

[…] at pot stickers and wontons – I can’t think what inspired me to make these? Maybe something to do with a certain Sydneysider… and the fact that we have a fantastic Chinese supermarket in Eastville where you can buy […]
on August 7, 2014 at 5:56 pm fergie51

Hi Celia, a great big fat thanks for the link to that video. Best I’ve seen in my research to date. Thanks for mentioning you moistened the wrapper before folding, the the dumpling sisters (great name) didn’t do that and I wondered. Got the pork mince, these are in the queue! Cheers, Maree.
- on August 8, 2014 at 5:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Maree, here’s my refined recipe:
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2014/03/16/my-dumpling-recipe/
  
  That video was really helpful, wasn’t it! :)
  - on August 8, 2014 at 10:04 am fergie51
    
    Thanks, I’ll report back!