Shrimp And Spinach Dumplings With Asian Dipping Sauce Recipe Epicuriouscom

Steps:

• Spinach dumpling skin dough:
• Wash the spinach well. Drain and pat dry. Add the spinach, salt, and 1 cup (240 ml) water to a blender or food processor and blend until it forms a smooth puree. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth, reserving the liquid in a measuring cup, which should yield at least 1½ cups (360 ml). Put aside the drained spinach for the filling.
• In a large bowl, add the flour and gradually stream in 1 cup (240 ml) of the reserved spinach liquid, using one hand to mix.
• Then gradually add the remaining spinach liquid a little at a time, using both hands to knead for about 5 minutes, until it all comes together and forms a smooth dough. You may not use all the liquid. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• After resting, remove the plastic wrap and knead the dough in the bowl a few more times. Cover again with plastic wrap and let rest for another 10 minutes. You may repeat this process one more time for a chewier dough, but the chewier the dough is, the stickier and trickier it will be to work with.
• Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap while you prep your fillings.
• Do Ahead: The dumpling skins are best used day of, but if you can't make the dumplings right away, it's best to store the dough in unrolled pieces, generously dusted on all sides with flour to prevent sticking. Cover with plastic or place in a covered container and store for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
• Spinach dumpling filling:
• Prep a bowl of ice water. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium heat and add the carrot. Cook for about 5 minutes, then immediately remove the carrot to the bowl of ice water to shock them and stop the cooking process. Meanwhile, marinate the green onion in the sesame oil for 5 minutes.
• Add the bok choy to the boiling water and cook for about 1 minute, then remove and add to the ice water. Once cooled, squeeze the bok choy between your hands or in a dishcloth to drain it of all water.
• Finely chop the carrot and bok choy, then add them to a bowl and combine with the reserved spinach.
• Add the vermicelli noodles, fried tofu, ginger, green onion in sesame oil, salt, and white pepper powder to the bowl of vegetables and mix to combine by stirring in one direction to promote better cohesion of the filling.
• Set a small pan over low heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and fry until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Carefully strain and discard the peppercorns and pour the infused oil into the bowl of dumpling filling. Stir to combine.
• Allow the filling to cool slightly, then crack in the egg and mix in one direction to combine.
• Do Ahead: Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use, up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Roll out your dumpling skins:
• Using your hands, roll the dough into a long and even snake-like cylindrical shape until it is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
• On a large wooden board or a clean work counter, use a knife to cut even, 1-inch (2.5-cm) segments of the dough. (Note: You can also rip pieces off by hand, but it requires a certain experience, accuracy, and speed. Cutting with a knife is definitely easier.)
• Sprinkle a little flour on the board or work surface to prevent sticking (but don't go overboard). Place each segment on the board with the cut part facing up (like a little stubby piece of firewood), and use the heel of your palm to flatten it slightly on the board.
• Hold a small cylindrical roller with your dominant hand. With your other hand, hold the piece of dough by the edge. From the opposite edge, gently roll the piece of dough with your roller toward the center and then back, then turn the dough slightly and roll again toward the center and back. Repeat this several times until the dough becomes an almost-perfect circle, 2½ to 3 inches (6 to 7.5 cm) in diameter. The idea is to roll the dough out evenly from the sides so it is smooth and round, with the center slightly thicker than the edges (around 1⁄8 inch/3 mm thick overall).
• Repeat this process for all pieces of dough and use immediately in folding dumplings.
• Wrap the dumplings:
• Prep a tray or a plate by sprinkling flour on the bottom to prevent sticking.
• Put a dumpling skin on the palm of your hand.
• Use a spoon (or chopsticks) to scoop 1 to 2 tablespoons of your filling mixture into the middle of the skin. Fold the skin in half so the two sides meet and can be pressed into each other to bind. Squeeze the rest of the sides together as well. Make sure the sides are pressed fully into each other to avoid the dumplings breaking, and avoid any filling touching the edges, as the oil in the filling could prevent the sides from sticking properly. (Note: If you're using store-bought skins, wet the rim of the wrapper with a little bit of water to help the edges seal. The goal is to maximize the amount of filling in your dumpling, but not put so much that the dumpling breaks or cannot be pressed together.)
• Place the finished dumplings in your prepared tray or plate, being careful to space them apart so they don't stick.
• Do Ahead: These are best cooked and eaten fresh, but you can also place the entire tray of folded dumplings in the freezer, covered carefully with plastic wrap. Once the dumplings are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Boil dumplings:
• Bring a large pot of water to a simmer, with the water on the verge of boiling. Right before the water boils, gently add the dumplings-this timing is crucial to prevent cracking. Keep the dumplings moving so they don't stick. When the water comes up to a boil again, add ½ cup (120 ml) cold water and stir. Repeat two more times. Once it comes up to a boil the fourth time, the dumplings should be floating and ready to eat, but if you're nervous, go ahead and cut one open to check. The entire process should take 10 minutes. Fish out the dumplings with a slotted spoon and serve with dumpling sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, and roasted sesame seeds.

Steps:

• Peel shrimp and, if desired, devein. In a food processor purée 3 shrimp. Rinse and drain water chestnuts. Finely chop water chestnuts and remaining shrimp. Finely chop scallion greens, reserving white parts for another use. Lightly beat egg white and put 1 tablespoon in a bowl. Stir in puréed and chopped shrimp, water chestnuts, about two thirds each of scallion greens and gingerroot, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
• Put 7 won ton wrappers on a dry surface, keeping remaining wrappers in package, and lightly brush edges with water. Mound about 1 tablespoon filling in center of each wrapper. Fold each wrapper over filling to form a triangle. Press down around filling to force out excess air and seal edges well. Make additional dumplings with remaining wrappers and filling in same manner.
• In a small bowl stir together sugar and remaining scallion greens, gingerroot, and soy sauce to make dipping sauce.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown dumplings on both sides, about 3 minutes total. Add boiling-hot water to skillet and cook, covered, 5 minutes. Serve dumplings with sauce.

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and cook for 30 seconds, until it turns a vivid green, then, using a slotted spoon, transfer it to a bowl of ice water. Chill thoroughly and drain. Wrap the spinach in a clean cheesecloth or tea towel to wring out excess moisture, then roughly chop it and set it aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt and set aside. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-low heat until a few drops of water added to the pan sizzle and evaporate. Pour in the egg mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes, just until the eggs form fluffy curds but have not fully set; they should still be slightly runny. Remove from the heat and let cool in a medium bowl.
• Use your hands to gently fold the eggs, sesame oil, oyster sauce, remaining 1¼ teaspoons of salt, and pepper together until fully combined. Gently fold in the spinach and mix until fully incorporated.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, make the dumplings. Holding a wrapper in your palm, use a fork to add about 1 tablespoon of the filling to the center of the wrapper, then lightly pat down the filling with the fork to get rid of any air bubbles.
• Fold the dumpling into the round yuan bao shape: Cradle the wrapper in your hands and fold the edge closest to you over the filling. Lightly squeeze the dumpling to push out any air bubbles. Clasp one end of the dumpling between your thumb and index finger to pinch it shut; repeat on the other side of the dumpling. Cradle the dumpling in your palms, clasping the sealed edge between your thumbs and index fingers, and squeeze it shut while pushing inward, making sure to squeeze out any air bubbles. The dumpling's belly should form a teardrop shape between your thumbs, which will create the yuan bao shape. Inspect the dumpling for any fissures that could rupture during cooking and pinch them shut. Repeat with the rest of the wrappers.
• Working in batches, add the dumplings to the pot, 6 at a time. Boil for 2 minutes on high, then reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 1 minute, then reduce the heat again to medium and cook for 2 more minutes. The dumplings are ready a minute or so after they rise to the surface; their skins will turn puffy. Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer the dumplings to a plate and serve immediately. Bring the water back to a boil over high heat and repeat with the remaining dumplings.

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients, except wrappers, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Put a rounded teaspoon filling in center of a wrapper. Lightly brush edge of wrapper with water, then fold in half (diagonally if square) and press to seal. Form a tortellini shape by moistening 1 corner and bringing 2 corners together, pressing them. Form remaining dumplings.
• Cook dumplings in 2 batches in a medium pot of gently simmering water until filling is just cooked, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a platter. Keep warm, covered.

Steps:

• Make dough
• In large bowl, combine flour, salt, and 1 cup boiling water. Using wooden spoon, mix until dough forms shaggy ball, then transfer to lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and shiny, 6 to 8 minutes. (Alternatively, mix and knead using electric mixer fitted with dough hook; kneading time will be shorter.) Wrap lightly in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature 20 minutes.
• While dough rests, make filling
• In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Using hands, gently knead mixture in bowl until just combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Roll out wrappers
• Line large baking sheet with paper towels and dust lightly with flour. Divide dough into 3 even pieces. On lightly floured surface, using palms of hands, roll each piece into 3/4-inch-diameter log. Using floured knife, cut each log into 1-inch-long sections.
• Pinch 1 dough section out into circle, then roll out on floured surface using floured rolling pin to 4-inch-diameter round. Transfer round to baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough sections, stacking rounds in layers on floured paper towels.
• Fill and pleat dumplings
• Line second large baking sheet with paper towels and dust lightly with flour. Hold 1 wrapper in palm of hand. Using fingertip dippsed in water, gently wet around edge of wrapper. Place 1 heaping tablespoon filling in center of wrapper, then fold wrapper in half without sealing edges, cupping half-moon (open side-up) between thumb and fingers and gently tamping down filling with other hand to keep edge of wrapper free of filling.
• Using thumb and forefinger of left hand, begin pinching edges of wrapper together while pushing 1 edge into tiny pleats with thumb of right hand. Continue pleating and pinching across entire semicircle until wrapper is sealed (unpleated side will automatically curve). Set dumpling, sealed edge up, on baking sheet and repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
• To steam dumplings
• In large saucepan with tight-fitting lid, bring 1 1/2 inches water to boil. Lightly oil metal steamer (if using bamboo, line with cabbage leaves to prevent sticking) and set in pan. Arrange dumplings, sealed edges up, on steamer, cover, and steam until filling is firm and wrappers are slightly translucent.
• To pan-fry dumplings
• In large lidded nonstick sauté pan over moderately high heat, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil until hot but not smoking. Add 13 to 14 dumplings, pleated sides up and sides not touching, and immediately pour in enough cold water to come halfway up sides of dumplings (use care; oil may splatter). Cover and cook until liquid is evaporated and bottoms of dumplings are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes. (Use spatula to loosen and lift edges to check bottoms; replace lid and continue cooking if necessary, checking after 1 to 2 minutes.) Transfer dumplings, crisp sides up, to platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining 2 batches of dumplings.
• While dumplings are cooking, make dipping sauce
• In medium bowl, stir together all ingredients.
• Serve dumplings warm with dipping sauce.

Steps:

• Drop the shrimp into a pot of boiling water and cook just until the shrimp turn pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool and chop. Set aside. In a heavy saucepan, over low heat, mix together the cream cheese, heavy cream, 4 tablespoons of the butter, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted. Add the Jack cheese, lemon pepper, lemon juice, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir until cheese is melted. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in another saucepan. Squeeze out any water remaining in the thawed spinach. Add the spinach and cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the spinach and add it to the cream cheese mixture. Stir and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Add the shrimp. Serve the dip in a chafing dish along with toast points or French bread for dipping.

Steps:

• Mix all the filling ingredients in a large bowl. Take 1 teaspoon and bake or steam it, to taste for adjusting the seasoning. Set a large pot of lightly salted water over high heat, ready for boiling.
• To make the pot stickers, lay down about 4 gyoza or wonton wrappers and brush the edge halfway around with cornstarch mixed with a little water. Place about a teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper and fold over into a half moon, being careful to keep filling away from the edge. Using your fingers, crimp to seal. As you become more adept, you can pleat one side against the other. Press each pot sticker onto the table to flatten the bottom, and place on a tray lightly dusted with cornstarch. Pot stickers can sit there until ready to cook.
• When all the pot stickers have been shaped, boil them in batches in the lightly salted water for about 2 minutes, until the dough is cooked through (it will become slightly translucent). Drain and cool until ready to fry.
• Heat about 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Place pot stickers in the skillet in batches, to avoid crowding, and lower the heat. When they're golden brown and crispy on the bottom, carefully pour in a little hot water or broth to just cover the bottom of the pan. Watch out for steam! Cover the pan tightly and steam 3-4 minutes, until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat, and repeat with the remaining dumplings. Serve with Chile-Soy Dipping Sauce.
• Chile-Soy Dipping Sauce
• Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.