PORK AND CABBAGE POTSTICKERS RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Trim and finely slice the spring onions, remove and discard the tatty outer cabbage leaves, then shred very finely. Place in a bowl with the pork, sesame oil, rice wine or sherry and soy sauce.
  2. Peel and finely grate in the ginger and garlic, season with a good pinch of white pepper, then mix well to combine. To check the seasoning, pinch off a little of the mixture and fry over a medium heat with a splash of oil. Taste and season again, if needed.
  3. To make the potstickers, lay the gyoza wrappers on a clean work surface and cover with a damp tea towel to stop them from drying out. Lightly dust a tray with cornflour and place a small bowl of water alongside it.
  4. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling onto the middle of a wrapper, brush the edges with a little water, then fold the wrapper in half over the filling into a half moon shape. Pinch and pleat the edges to seal, then place bottom-side down onto the flour-dusted tray. Repeat with the remaining ingredients – you should end up with 30 in total.
  5. Heat a good splash of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat, then add the potstickers, bottom-side down, in a single layer (you’ll need to do this in batches). Reduce the heat to medium and fry for 2 minutes, or until the undersides are golden.
  6. Pour 1cm of water into the pan, bring to the boil, then cover and reduce to a medium-low heat. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the liquid has almost evaporated (if it reduces too quickly, top up with a splash more water halfway through).
  7. Remove the lid and fry for a further minute, or until the undersides are crisp. Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a small frying pan over a medium heat.
  8. Combine the dipping sauce ingredients, then serve with the potstickers and toasted seeds scattered on top.

Steps:

• Combine meat, cabbage, ginger, garlic, scallion whites and 2 tablespoons soy sauce in a bowl with 1/4 cup water. Lay a wrapper on a clean, dry surface, and using your finger or a brush, spread a bit of egg along half of its circumference. Place a rounded teaspoon of filling in center, fold over and seal by pinching edges together. (Do not overfill.) Place dumplings on a plate; if you want to wait a few hours before cooking, cover plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Or freeze, for up to two weeks.
• To cook, put about 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet and turn heat to medium-high. A minute later, add dumplings, one at a time; they can touch one another, but should still sit flat in one layer. Cook about 2 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned and most of the oil has been absorbed. Add 1/4 cup water per dozen dumplings to pan, and cover. Lower heat to medium, and let simmer about 3 minutes.
• To make the dipping sauce, combine remaining soy sauce, green parts of scallions and vinegar.
• Uncover dumplings, return heat to medium-high and cook another minute or two, until bottoms are dark brown and crisp and water evaporates. (Use more oil if necessary.) Serve hot, with sauce.