In the hustle and bustle of the city, I seek a moment of tranquility and warmth. The taste of home always evokes a sense of longing. Making pork and leek dumplings with my family has become a weekend tradition, a cherished habit. The delicate dough envelops the perfect combination of pork and leek , each step filled with love and care. As the aroma of the dumplings fills the air, we gather around, sharing laughter and savoring the delicious feast. In that moment, time seems to stand still, with only the fragrance of the pork and leek dumplings and the warmth of home filling the space.
Ingredients for Pork and Leek Dumplings :
| Pork | 250g |
| Leek | 200g |
| Ginger | 20g |
| Coriander | 10g |
| Salt | 3g |
| Essence of chicken | 2g |
| Soy sauce | 5g |
| Oyster sauce | 5g |
| Aromatic vinegar | 5g |
| Minced garlic | 10g |
| Sesame oil | 3g |
| Dumpling wrapper | 300g |
Step:
1.First, chop the pork, leeks, and ginger into small pieces. Prepare some cilantro and cut it into sections for garnishing. Then, put these ingredients into a meat grinder. Add a suitable amount of salt, chicken bouillon, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to the meat grinder. These seasonings will provide rich flavors and aromas to the filling. Adjust the seasonings according to your personal taste, increasing or decreasing the amount as desired. Ensure the lid is closed and place the meat grinder on the main unit. Start the meat grinder and let it run for 7-8 seconds, allowing the meat, leeks, ginger, and seasonings to mix thoroughly and form a uniform dumpling filling.
2.Now, let’s move on to wrapping the dumplings! You can purchase pre-made dumpling wrappers from the supermarket, which saves the step of rolling out the dough and makes it more convenient. First, prepare the ground pork and leeks filling. Make sure the filling is well-mixed, properly seasoned, and has a rich flavor. If needed, take a small taste of the filling to ensure its texture and taste meet your expectations. Next, take one dumpling wrapper and place it in the palm of your hand. Use your hand to moisten the edges of the dumpling wrapper with water. This will help seal the dumpling easier. Then, place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of the dumpling wrapper. Be careful not to overfill, as it may affect the sealing process. Fold the dumpling wrapper in half to enclose the filling. Starting from the center of the dumpling wrapper, pinch the sides of the wrapper with your thumb and index finger, tightening and sealing it. Repeat this process until the entire dumpling wrapper is completely sealed. Make sure to tightly seal the dumplings to prevent the filling from leaking out.
3.After wrapping the dumplings, it’s time to cook them. First, prepare a large pot and add an appropriate amount of water, then bring it to a boil. When the water starts boiling, carefully add the dumplings one by one into the boiling water. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot to prevent them from sticking together. The cooking time for dumplings typically takes 7 to 10 minutes, depending on how soft or firm you like them. If you prefer softer dumplings, you can slightly extend the cooking time; if you prefer chewier dumplings, you can slightly shorten the cooking time. During the cooking process, gently stir the surface of the water with a spoon to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the bottom or each other. You can also add some cold water to regulate the water temperature and ensure even cooking. Once the dumplings are cooked, they will float to the surface of the water, and the dough will become translucent. Using a strainer or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked dumplings, allowing excess water to drain off. Arrange the cooked dumplings on a plate. Now, you can smell the enticing aroma of the dumplings. The cooked dumplings are plump and elastic, with a perfect balance between the filling and the wrapper. You can serve them with homemade dipping sauce such as soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, and chili oil to enhance their flavors.
Tips:
1.Pay attention to controlling the moisture of the filling to avoid difficulties in wrapping the dumplings due to excessive wetness. If the filling is too wet, you can add some flour or starch to absorb the excess moisture.
2.Moisten the edges of the dumpling wrapper with water using your fingertips to help seal them more easily. Make sure to pinch and seal tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out.
3.When cooking the dumplings, adjust the cooking time based on the size and thickness of the dumplings. Generally, they are cooked when they float and the skin becomes translucent. Also, ensure the heat is moderate, avoiding excessively high or low boiling water.
4.In addition to the dumplings themselves, the dipping sauce is also essential. You can prepare the dipping sauce according to your personal preference, using ingredients such as soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, minced garlic, etc., to enhance the flavor profiles.
Amidst the cold winter wind, a tantalizing aroma fills the air. It’s the homemade delicacy of pork and leek dumplings made by the family. The dumpling wrappers are perfectly thin and envelop the carefully seasoned filling, resembling plump little babies. As the boiling water dances in the pot, the dumplings bob up and down, releasing a mouthwatering scent. Holding a bowl of steaming hot pork and chive dumplings, it carries the taste of home, the taste of family, and the taste of happiness.