STEAMED DUMPLINGS SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Mix ingredients for dipping sauce and set aside.
• Lightly oil a large bowl.
• Put the flour and salt in another large bowl, piled up.
• Make a dent in the top of the pile, and crack the egg into it.
• Mix the egg into the flour.
• Add enough water to the mixture to make a thick dough.
• The consistency should be like bread dough.
• In any case, don't add too much water--it shouldn't be like batter at all!
• Turn the dough out onto the flour-dusted counter, and form into a ball.
• (It helps to flour your hands first).
• Place the dough into the oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap (cellofane).
• Let stand 1 hour.
• Meanwhile mix all ingredients for filling and place in the fridge.
• Next, remove dough and place on flour-dusted counter (or work surface).
• Knead a bit and flatten until very thin (but not see-through or falling apart).
• Using a large, round cookie-cutter (or bottom of coffee can or top of glass) cut three-inch rounds.
• Don't place them on top of each other, as they could stick together!
• Knead the leftover pieces together again and cut more rounds until there's no dough left.
• Spoon a bit of the filling into the center of each round and fold in half (to make a semi-circle shape).
• Seal edges with a bit of water, and use tongs of a fork to decorate the edge.
• To prepare, either steam the dumplings (if you have a steamer) for 15 mins, or boil for 10 mins.
• If you boil, add some oil to the water and don't overcrowd the pan--make them in batches.
• If you like, you can fry the dumplings in a skillet or wok to brown them before serving.
• Handle gently!

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine pork, onions, garlic, sesame oil, salt and pepper.
• Fill each wrap with a small spoonful of the pork mixture and seal with water, pressing edges and folding a bit to "ruffle" them.
• Heat water to boiling, and place bamboo steamer (or sieve) lined with a large cabbage or lettuce leaf (to prevent sticking) over the pot.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Place dumplings in a single layer (not touching each other) on leaf, cover and steam for 20 minutes or so--until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, make sauce.
• In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin, sesame oil and sugar; set aside.
• In a small sauce pan, heat oil, and sauté garlic and ginger until barely golden.
• Add soy mixture and heat through.
• If desired, whisk cornstarch and water to make a slurry and use this to thicken the sauce.
• Thickening the sauce allows for better coating of the dumplings while dipping, but is not necessary.
• Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
• Serve hot dumplings with sauce.