Whoever said delicious things come from small packages must be talking about soft and spongy, delicious dumplings! Dreamy, mouth-watering and almost perfect – there’s something so comforting about these fluffy bags of dough. Often referred to as dumplings, wonton, shumai or shumai, dumplings are warm, delicious, juicy if cooked properly and extremely satisfying. And the great thing is that you’ll find them almost everywhere you go; under office buildings, in busy markets, university canteens, high-altitude vacation spots, expensive restaurants, and sometimes even in places where the population is scarce.
In Asia, dumplings are more or less the same type – flour cake wrapped around a block of zingy filling. But in Europe, dumplings have a different avatar. English dumplings are just a ball of dough that is cooked in a half-boiling, half-steamed pot and then eaten as is. According to popular British literature, the word ‘dumpling’ appeared in the 1600s and represented a ball of dough cooked in stock or stew.
What makes a great dumpling?
A unique combination of meat, vegetables, spices and herbs. While three flavors stand out – chicken, lamb and pork most commonly found worldwide, the endless variety out there is nothing short of remarkable. Crab meat, vegetables, shark fin, pork belly, steamed shrimp, steamed spare ribs, sweet tofu and minced meat.
Flour:
The crust is a basic pastry made from all-purpose flour and water. This rolling technique may sound difficult at first, but it’s actually quite easy to master. If you add eggs to this mix then you can create a more complex crust for thin or fluffy wontons. There is also another part of dumplings made from glutinous rice, tapioca or beans.
Chef:
The most common way to prepare dumplings is to steam them in a tall bamboo basket or a metal steamer. If you’re looking for a fun twist, use a pan to fry them, a tall skillet to fry them, or a pan to grill or smoke them.
After all that talk of exquisite deliciousness, it’s time for a ‘dim sum party’! This International Dumplings Day, we bring you ten easy, creative and delicious dumpling recipes that will conquer you.
International Dumpling Day: Here are 10 dumpling recipes for you:
1. Tapioca Dumplings – Recipe by chef Seema Chandra
These Vietnamese dumplings are healthy, gluten-free, and a delicious treat. A chewy, lightly spiced chicken mixture wrapped in tapioca flour and tapioca pearls.
2. Fried Momos – Recipe by chef Niru Gupta
Momos stuffed with chicken, steamed and then deep fried. They are so delicious, you won’t know when to stop!
3.Tofu and spinach dumplings – Sangeeta Kante’s User Formula
These rank high for creativity, taste, and health! Tofu and rava dumplings stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and walnuts. Alternatively, whip the zesty orange sauce for the perfect finish.
4. Lamb Momos with Sweet Chili Sauce – Neha Emmanuel’s User Formula
Soft and fluffy momos stuffed with spicy minced lamb and paired with dips that are both sweet and hot, both at the same time.
5. Vegetable Momos – Recipe by chef Niru Gupta
Carrots, cabbage, onions and garlic, all grated and stuffed into beautiful dumplings. It’s a real treat for all vegetarians.
6. Banh cuon (Vietnamese dumplings) – Recipe by Chef Nikhil & Chef Natasha
Minced pork, onions, garlic and cloves are wrapped in thin wontons.
7. Momos – Recipe by chef Niru Gupta
With this formula, the possibilities are endless. Roll out the pastries, filling them with whatever your heart desires. Wrap it up and steam it right away.
8. Sausage Dumplings – Chef Roopa Gulati .’s recipe
You will enjoy a real treat with this one. Sausage, mango cocktail Chili saucegarlic, ketchup, lime juice, salt and pepper mixed together, stuffed in soft wrap, steamed and fried!
9. Dumplings filled with shrimp and meat – Recipe by Chef Nikhil & Chef Natasha
Dumplings filled with chicken and shrimp served with spicy spicy diamond sauce will leave you breathless.
10. Austrian Dumplings – Chef Peter Pretzel’s recipe
Experience the wonderful Austrian version of dumplings. With a paneer dough and a low-fat carrot filling, these vegetarian dumplings are a healthy treat.
Try these delicious dumpling recipes and let us know which one you like best.
