The Chinese dumplings is the most important food of the Chinese New Year. Fashioned in the shape of gold ingots, dumplings symbolize wealth. Families gather the day before New Year's to make dumplings and hide coins in some of the dumplings. Those who find the coins on New Year's Day are sure to have good fortune during the coming year. Traditionally, the host sends dumplings home with each guest.
Instructions
Filling
1. Shred or finely chop the cabbage. Add salt and pepper.
2. Let the cabbage sit in a large bowl for 10 to 15 minutes then pour it into a clean dish towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and wring the moisture out of the cabbage.
3. Mix the ground meat, oil and sugar in the bowl. Add the cabbage and green onions to it and mix thoroughly.
Dough for the Dumplings
4. Measure the water into a medium sized bowl. Add the flour and mix to combine.
5. Knead the dough until smooth. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
6. Roll half the dough out and cut into equal parts. Use a rolling pin and roll each piece into a circle.
Assemble the Dumplings
7. Place a dough circle on the work surface. Add a spoonful of filling to the center of the dough circle.
8. Use a small brush and moisten the edges of the dough circle with a little water. Fold the circle in half and press the edges together.
9. Bring the ends of the straight side together with the thumb and finger.
10. Pinch the pleats together to seal. Place each dumpling on a floured tray.
11. Bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Add the dumplings to the water while stirring gently.
12. Bring the water to a boil once again, then reduce the heat. Cook the dumplings for 3 minutes, then gently remove them from the water to a large plate.
13. Serve the hot dumplings immediately. Offer bowls of soy sauce mixed with red wine vinegar for dipping.
Tags: dough circle, minutes then, water boil
