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15 recipes for the die-hard dumpling lover

Pan-fried pot-stickers, meaty xiao long bao and sweet sesame balls - we’re bowing down to China’s delicious dumplings.

Pork pot stickers

Pork pot stickers Source: Alan Benson

1. Sticking together

These were crowned winners by the  judges and your household will be doing the same.
Pork and prawn potstickers
Pork and prawn potstickers Source: China Squirrel
Xiao long bao (aka those scrumptious soup dumplings that explode in your mouth) are usually filled with pork and aspic, but up the ante by way of scallops, prawns and beef bone marrow. Serve with chilli- and star anise-spiked Chinkiang (Chinese black vinegar) and let the love affair begin.
Soup dumplings
Source: SBS Food
of deep-fried deliciousness are filled with pork, Chinese five-spice and a fresh ginger zing. Perfect as a party snack, the wontons go wonderfully with homemade sweet chilli sauce.  
Chinese dumplings
Source: Alan Benson
Enjoyed for breakfast or an on-the-go snack, these can be found at street stalls across Shanghai. Here, Leanne Kitchen adds pork (minced and dried lup yook), dried shrimp and bamboo shoots into the mix, along with a swig of your Asian sauces (soy,  oyster and Shaoxing wine).
Sticky rice dumplings
Sticky rice dumplings Source: China Squirrel
Swimming in a fragrant chicken and mushroom broth, these will nurture you through the cooler months. Wood-ear mushrooms (also known as black fungus) add a delightful texture to the dish, but you can substitute shiitake if preferred.
Pork dumplings, Asian broth, wood-ear mushrooms
Source: Benito Martin
Here, Poh Ling Yeow shares her take on “ultimate comfort food” – . Seasoned with soy, Shaoxing rice wine and a healthy handful of spring onions, the moist meaty mixture shines amid its crisp, dumpling case. If you need any more convincing, just listen to Poh: “The sensation of chomping into one of these plump parcels and its juices squirting down your chin is unbeatable.” That’s it, we’re sold!
Pork and cabbage dumplings
Source: Randy Larcombe Photography

7. Blue with envy

The intense blue colour of the butterfly blue pea flower is so beguiling - when dried flowers are steeped in hot water, they release their beautiful colour. get their intense blue colour from the butterfly blue pea flower. Talk about wow factor!
Blue pea flower dumplings
Blue pea flower dumplings Source: Sharyn Cairns

8. Hold up, pumpkin?

Pumpkin in a dumpling? Yep, it’s a thing. Found in Xinjiang, a largely Muslim region China’s northwest, these dumplings – ‘’ as they are locally known – feature a filling of ginger, cumin seeds and pumpkin. Steamed and served with black rice vinegar and chilli flakes, they’ll entice vegetarians and carnivores alike.
Steamed pumpkin dumplings
Source: Leanne Kitchen

9. Auspicious and age-defying

Commonly eaten on special occasions, such as Chinese New Year, these are said to promote blood circulation in women and even slow the ageing process. Containing just four ingredients, the balls are a breeze to make, just don’t expect sweetness levels to match that of Western desserts.
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10. Fast and the fabulous

Not only are these prawn, ginger and black vinegar utterly divine, they can be made in 30 minutes thanks to the sheer handiness of ready-made gow gee wrappers. Whip some up tonight!
Prawn, ginger and black vinegar dumplings
Prawn, ginger and black vinegar dumplings

11. Cross-cultural dumplings

takes glutinous rice balls to a sweet new level by adding shredded coconut, peanut butter and white chocolate melts. They mightn’t be ‘classically Chinese’ but are heavenly, indeed.
Soft-centred white chocolate dumplings with peanut and coconut praline
Soft-centred white chocolate dumplings with peanut and coconut praline Source: Derek Swalwell
Elevate your pork parcels with a spoonful of homemade – a powerful condiment great for stir-fries, Asian soups and salad dressings. Crisp on the outside, more-ish in the middle,  make an ideal party snack.
Pan-fried pork and chilli dumplings with chilli infused red vinegar
Source: Petrina Tinslay
Inspired by xiao long bao, these contain a slightly soupy interior. Speed up the cooking process by purchasing gow gee wrappers instead of making your own dumpling cases. And don’t forget the Chinese black vinegar for delicious dipping.
Pork pot stickers
Pork pot stickers Source: Alan Benson
Tea isn’t just for drinking, it's fantastic at cooking, too. Here, Luke Nguyen uses fresh green tea leaves to infuse his . Sweetened with palm sugar and scattered with black and white sesame seeds, these warm bites go wonderfully with a cup of, well, tea.
Tea-infused sticky rice dumplings
Source: Luke Nguyen
Served in a steaming chicken and ginger broth these are modelled on a family recipe from  blogger Betty Liu. Traditionally encased in paper-thin dough, these days its easier to use eggless wonton wrappers from the packet. Try this recipe over the weekend because the broth is best cooked for 4-5 hours.
Suzhou wonton soup
Source: Betty Liu
For our full dumpling recipe collection, .

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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4 min read
Published 30 August 2018 3:05pm
Updated 7 June 2021 2:30pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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