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Recipes

How to Make Chinese Dumplings When You’re Too Broke For Takeout

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Northwestern chapter.

There are few things more comforting than a warm, steaming dumpling. We know you love the dumplings at your local Chinese restaurant, but we promise they’ll taste even better from your own kitchen. Economical and efficient, they’re easily frozen or enjoyed right on the spot. These petite pockets work as appetizers, main courses or dessert (yep, dessert dumplings are a thing, and they’re delicious).

If you need help assembling dumplings, see the graphic below:

dumpling

Illustration by Joanne Lee

Spinach and Tofu Dumplings

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time:1 hour Cook time: 20 minutesTotal time:1 hour 20 minutesServings:6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring large saucepan of water to boil.

  2. Add spinach and cook for 20 seconds.

  3. When spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze dry and chop.

  4. Transfer spinach to medium bowl and stir in tofu, jalapeños, soy sauce and sesame oil and season with salt andpepper.

  5. Assemble dumplings.

  6. Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in large skillet over medium heat.

  7. Place 8 to 10 dumplings in pan and sauté until browned, about 2 minutes per side.

  8. Pour in ¼ cup of water, cover and steam until dumplings are tender, about 5 minutes. Repeat until all are cooked.

  9. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.

Pork and Chive Dumplings

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 45 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal time:1 hour Servings:6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix pork, garlic, egg,chives, ¼ cup soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger in large bowl until thoroughly combined.

  2. Assemble dumplings (see graphic for directions).

  3. Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in large skillet over medium heat. Place 8 to 10 dumplings in pan and pan-fry until browned, about 2 minutes per side.

  4. Pour in ¼ cup water, cover and steam until dumplings are tender and pork is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Repeat for remaining dumplings.

  5. Serve dumplings with soy sauce for dipping.

Caramel Apple Dumplings

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 30 minutesTotal time: 45 minutesServings:6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. On surface dusted with flour, unfold Cresent Rolls. Tear along dotted lines.

  3. Place apple wedge on wide edge of each dough triangle and roll, maintaining croissant shape as much as possible. Fold in corners where necessary.

  4. Place dumplings in 8-inch baking dish.

  5. In saucepan, melt butter, sugar and cinnamon over medium heat and pour mixture over dumplings.

  6. Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

  7. Remove foil and bake for additional 15 minutes.

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Eilis Lombard

Northwestern '16