This year, 2020, is the YEAR OF THE RAT according to the Chinese Zodiac. If you were born in 1996, 2008, or 2020 – you are a RAT! Happy New Year, rats! You are funny, smart, versatile, a money-saver… and HUNGRY! Traditional celebratory foods in China are dumplings, potstickers, spring rolls, whole chicken, whole fish, and noodle dishes! Here’s a recipe with TWO sauces. Try these… and celebrate!
Pan-fried Dumplings with sweet & hot!
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 1/2 lb. ground pork
- 1/2 lb. ground chicken or turkey
- 1 small head of green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 bunch scallions, sliced thin
- Small piece (1-4 inches) of ginger, peeled and finely diced or grated
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely diced or grated
- Soy sauce, to taste
- 2 eggs
- Dumpling wrappers
- Canola oil
For the sauces:
- 1 cup soy
- 4 tbsp. rice vinegar
- hoisin sauce
- sriracha
Instructions
~Mix pork, chicken, cabbage, ½ the scallions, ginger, garlic, 3 tbsp. soy sauce, and ½ cup of water in a large bowl. Use your hands and have fun!
~Crack 2 eggs into a small bowl and whisk.
~On a cutting board lay out a dumpling wrapper, brush outer edge half-way around with egg. Spoon a teaspoon of filling into center of wrapper, fold over and seal. Have fun with sealing techniques: press with fork, fold pleats, etc.
~Repeat with all wrappers and place on a paper plate.
~In each of two small bowls, place ½ cup soy sauce, and 2 tbsp. rice vinegar. Add sriracha (to taste) in one bowl, and hoisin (to taste) in the other bowl. Sprinkle a few scallions on top of each sauce.
~Heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Add 3 tbsp. oil to the skillet. Add dumplings flat side down on pan in single layer. Do not overcrowd. Cook for 3 minutes until golden, not brown. Pour ½ cup water into pan, cover and cook 6 minutes, removing cover halfway through., and flipping potstickers occasionally.
~Once finished cooking, remove potstickers with tongs to a serving dish.
~Clean pan and repeat steps until all potstickers are done. Sprinkle serving dish with remaining scallions.
~Serve with sauces.