Chinese Steamed Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Ingredients:

For the dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup water, plus more as needed

1/4 tsp salt

For the filling:

1 lb ground pork or chicken

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp Shaoxing wine

1 tbsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground white pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 egg, beaten

For the dipping sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp grated ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

Chili oil or hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and water. Mix well until the dough comes together.
Knead the dough for a few minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry, add a
little more water. If it is too wet, add a little more flour. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and
let it rest for 30 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix together the ground pork or chicken, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame
oil, ginger, white pepper, garlic, green onions, and beaten egg. Stir until well combined. Set the
filling aside.

Roll the dough into a long log and cut it into small pieces, about the size of a walnut. Roll each
piece into a thin round wrapper, using a rolling pin or a dumpling press.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling onto the center of each wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half to
form a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together to seal the dumpling.

Place the dumplings on a steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Make
sure to leave some space between the dumplings, as they will expand as they cook.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the steamer basket over the pot and steam the dumplings
for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through.

While the dumplings are steaming, make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the
soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. If you like it spicy,
add some chili oil or hot sauce to the sauce.

Once the dumplings are cooked, remove them from the steamer and serve hot with the dipping
sauce.

Chinese steamed dumplings are a classic and popular dish in Chinese cuisine. They can be
enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal. Making your own dumplings at home is not only fun and
rewarding, but it also allows you to customize the filling to your liking. Serve these dumplings
with the dipping sauce and enjoy the delicious flavors and textures.