Shrimp ‘n Pork Dumplings

This recipe is a modified from Eton Chan, Beef and Pork Dumplings at half portion

Inside filling is what matters the most

Ingredients:

A:

• 1/2 pound Ground Pork
• 12 Raw Large Shrimps, peeled & deveined

B:

• 1/2 teaspoon Ginger, Minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 tablespoon Scallions, Minced

C:

• 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
• 1/8 teaspoon Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 3 tablespoon Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoon Cold Water

D:

• 1/2 pound Cabbage

E:

• 1 pack of Dumpling Wrappers

F:

• 2 cups Mung Bean Sprouts

Instructions:

Blanch Cabbage (D)

1. Peel outer layers of cabbage and cut into quarters. Boil in lightly salted water until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from pot and cool down. Chop finely and set aside.
2. Mince B Ingredients
3. While cabbage is boiling, peel ginger and mince; trim garlic clove and mince; mince scallion white and yellow parts. Set aside.

Combine

1. Combine all ingredients from A, B, C and D in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until liquids are absorbed into the meat. Cover and let marinate for 2 hours in fridge.
2. Chop Mung Bean Sprouts and mash well. Mix into marinaded meat mix right before assembly.

Assembly

1. Place about pecan-size meat mix in the middle of a dumpling wrapper. Dap edge of half wrapper with a little water and seal, removing all excess air if possible. To seal, fold dumpling in half to resemble a half moon. Lay single layer on tray and cover with a damp cheesecloth.

Cook

1. Fill water to 2/3 of large pot. Boil on high heat. Place dumplings into boiling water one at a time. Until filled on layer surface of the pot. Use a wooden spoon to separate dumplings from the bottom of pot. Lower heat to medium high. Wait until dumplings float to the top and cook 2 more minutes.
2. Remove dumpling from water with a Skimmer. Place them on a plate. Ready to enjoy.

Pork and Beef Dumplings

This recipe was adapted from Eton Chan, Pork and Beef Dumplings at half portion

Dumplings can be pan fried as Pot Stickers

Ingredients:

A:

• 1 pound Ground Beef
  
• 1 pound Ground Pork

B:

• 1 teaspoon Ginger Root
• 1 teaspoon Garlic
• 1 tablespoon Scallions

C:

• 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup cold water

D:

1 pound cabbage

E:

2 packs of Dumpling Wrappers

Instructions:

1) Peel outer layers of cabbage and cut into quarters and boil in lightly salted water until tender. Remove from pot and cool down. Chop finely and set aside. 

2) While cabbage is boiling, peel ginger and mince; trim garlic clove stem and mince; mince scallion white and yellow parts. Set aside. 

3) Combine all ingredients from A, B, C, and D in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until liquids are absorbed into the meat. Cover and let marinate a couple hours in fridge. 

4) Assemble dumplings by filling a dumpling wrapper with 1 teaspoon of meat mix. Dap edge of wrapper with a little water and seal, removing all excess air if possible. To seal, fold dumpling in half to resemble a half moon. Lay single layer on tray and freeze.

5) To cook, you can boil them in lightly salted water or pan fry them. 

Aromatic Tea Eggs

Egg prices went down recently in Houston. It's time for some delicious, low-cost tea eggs. When I was growing up in Taiwan, my mom made a pot of tea eggs and I could eat 7 of them in a single setting. Why not 8? No one wants to be 王八蛋 - a foul language in Chinese .

I don't add soy sauce to my tea egg recipe. It kills the aromas from tea and spices. Don't add salt until soaking cycle. (step 6)

Mmm... yummy to marble pattern.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 doz of eggs
1/2 cup of green tea leaves
6 star anise (Chinese Five Spices)
2 cinnamon sticks, 3 inch size
8 cups water, depends on the size of your pot (see step 4)

Directions:

1. Boil eggs until hard, about 5 minutes. Don't over boil.
2. Remove from heat. Soak in cool water.
3. Lightly tap the shells with a metal spoon, but not to crack open.
4. Fill water to slightly cover the eggs, put all ingredients in liquid.
5. Heat to boil, then reduce to simmer. Constantly pouring liquid to top the eggs.
6. Cook until egg shells turn brown. 
7. Turn off heat, top the lid and let soak overnight.

Originally posted on Pbase.

I made Dim Sum

Not really. Whenever I have the crave for some dim sum, I steam these ready-to-cook dim sum pieces. They came out just like in the restaurants, without the hassle of driving somewhere to wait in line. Best of all, you cook what you want to eat.

The important thing is buying the correct items. Kimbo Dimsum Hap and Wei-Chuan Pork Mini Buns can be found at Viet Hoa International Market. They can be kept in the freezer for a few months.

Steam these ready-to-cook dimsum pieces bought at Viet Hoa International Market.

Easy steps:

• Traditional flavor is to cook them in bamboo baskets. Alternative is using stainless steel steam pot.
• Wet the baskets and follow instruction on package for water amount.
• Line the baskets with vegetable leaves to prevent sticking and food fall into water. I used bok choy. Alternatives are Napa cabbage, green leave lettuce, kale or waxed paper.
• Steam over high heat for 10 minutes, or directed by the manufacturers. Don't over cook the sticky rice wrapped dim sum. They will not retain the shape when mushy.
• When done, remove baskets from the pot and place on plates. 
• Ready to enjoy.