In the realm of Chinese culture, where food is revered, the Spring Festival stands out as our most celebrated traditional holiday. During this time, there are three essential culinary staples, and today, I'll introduce one of them: Dumplings.
Dumplings: A Culinary Legacy
Dating back over 1800 years, dumplings are a historical Chinese delicacy, believed to have been invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a renowned physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Initially a medicinal concoction, Zhang created dumplings using mutton, chili, and warming herbs wrapped in dough shaped like ears to treat frostbite. This practice evolved into a culinary tradition, symbolizing care and warmth.
More Than Just a Dish
Dumplings are a canvas for embedding wishes for the upcoming year. Sweet fillings like sugar hint at a delightful year ahead, peanuts symbolize health and longevity, while dates and chestnuts are seen as harbingers of fertility.
Savor the Tradition: Pork and Chive Dumplings
Among the various dumpling fillings, pork with chives is a classic. Let's dive into making these delightful bites:
Ingredients:
Ground pork (24.7 oz or about 1.5 lb)
Chives (17.6 oz or about 1.1 lb)
Flour (17.6 oz or about 3.5 cups)
Chinese five-spice powder (1 spoonful)
Salt
MSG (a pinch)
Soy sauce (a splash)
Olive oil
Method:
1、Wash the chives thoroughly and pat them dry to remove any excess water
2、Combine chives with pork, adding salt, five-spice, olive oil, and MSG. Stir thoroughly.
3、Dumpling Wrapper Preparation
In a bowl, mix 17.6 oz (3.5 cups) of flour with 0.18 oz (1 tsp) of salt. Add 8.45 fl oz (1 cup) of warm water, mixing well. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
Knead the dough until it becomes smooth. Taking extra time to knead the dough will enhance the texture and taste of the dumplings
Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a large, flat sheet. Aim for a thickness that is neither too thick nor too thin – just right. Then, using a round cutter or a cup, press out individual dumpling wrappers. This method is incredibly simple and efficient, allowing you to prepare dozens of dumpling skins in just a minute
4、Assemble the dumplings.
5、Boil water, add dumplings, and stir gently. After boiling, add a splash of cold water and stir. Dumplings are ready when they float and are plump.
Expert Tips:
1、A 1% addition of salt to the dough enhances gluten and prevents sticking.
2、For the dough, a 1:0.5 to 0.55 flour-to-water ratio is ideal, making the dough pliable and easy to work with.
Enjoy this traditional culinary masterpiece, a testament to the richness of Chinese culture and the art of simple, yet profound, cooking.