Baked dumplings

  

So I've made these several times over parties and I'd like to share the recipe (as promised).

I love dumplings. They are great savoury snacks and so versatile (you can bake them, pan fry them, deep fry, steam; you could use whatever fillings to your liking)

This recipe a really simple to make, delicious and healthy- because it's baked, not deep-fried like you get them at the restaurant.

Here are the ingredients you need (makes about 6 servings/ 40 - 50 pieces):

For wrapping the dumplings I used these wonton pastry you could get from the asian grocer

 

For the filling:

500g minced beef (or pork)

2x2 inches of ginger - finely diced

5 garlic cloves - finely diced

2x shallots OR 3 stalks of green/spring onions -  finely chopped

1x red chilli (optional) - finely chopped

8-10 x medium-large shitake mushrooms (pre-soaked until soft) - diced

2-3 stalks of asian coriander/ cilantro - finely chopped

1 egg

To add a little crunch you could also add finely diced carrots/ water chestnuts

oil for frying and brushing

sesame oil

soya sauce

cooking sherry /optional

pepper

woicester sauce / oyster sauce

 Instructions:

1. Marinate minced meat with 4 tbsp soysauce, 2 tbsp sherry, 1.5 tbsp oyster/woicester sauce, 3 tbsp of sesame oil, couple dashes of pepper. mix well and let it sit for 10 minutes
2. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp oil in frying pan on medium heat. Add ginger and stir fry until golden crispy / you smell the aroma. Then add in garlic, onions and chili. Stir until fragrant. Then add into meat
3. Mix in the cilantro/coriander and mushrooms. Mix everything well then add an egg and continue mixing (the egg will hold the meat together to ensure it doesnt fall apart when baked)
4. At this point I would pan fry a tiny bit of the meat mixture and taste it to see if it is under seasoned. Then adjust seasoning accordingly.
5. Start wrapping the dumplings in the wonton pastry by placing meat fillings at the center of the sheets and bring all corners together, give it a twirl around the top like you would do with a christmas gift bag, gently squeeze the together and open the ends downwards so it'll resemble flower petals.
6. Place dumplings on baking paper and brush them with a little oil. Bake them in preheated oven at 200 Celcius for 10-12 minutes.
7. Serve.

Difficulty level: Medium

Prep time: 1 hour