Lunch: Traditional Pork and Ginger Dumplings

Ingredients

1 cup shredded cabbage
Kosher salt
1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup minced ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/2 cup scallions, white and green parts, sliced 1/8-inch thick
Cracked black pepper
20 wonton wrappers
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water, for egg wash
2 to 3 tablespoons canola oil

Instructions

For the dumplings: Place the cabbage in a strainer over a bowl. Salt the cabbage and let rest for about 30 minutes; then rinse and finely chop. Mix the cabbage with the pork, ginger and sesame oil in a bowl. Fold in the scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Cook a small amount of the mixture in a small saute pan or in a microwave to check for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper, if needed. Lay the wrappers on a work surface. Place 1/2 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each wrapper. Avoid getting any filling on the edges of the wrapper, which would prevent them from sealing properly. Paint the circumference of the wrappers with the egg wash using a finger or pastry brush. Fold each wrapper in half to form a half-moon shape and seal by pressing between your fingers. Starting at the center, make 3 pleats, working toward the bottom-right corner. Repeat, working toward the bottom-left corner. Press the folded edges of the dumplings gently on the work surface to flatten the bottoms and help them stand. Heat a large, nonstick lidded saute pan over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is hot, add the dumplings flattened-bottoms down, in batches if needed, and cook without disturbing until brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add about 1/2 cup water and immediately cover the pan to avoid splattering. Lift the cover and make sure about 1/8 inch water remains in the pan; add a little more if not. Steam until puffy yet firm and the water has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. If the water evaporates before the dumplings are done, add more in 1/4-cup increments. If they seem done, but water remains in the pan, drain it and return the pan to the stovetop to evaporate any remaining liquid. Continue to cook over high heat to allow the dumplings to re-crisp on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. For the dipper: Meanwhile, stir together the vinegar, soy sauce and sambal. Transfer the dumplings to a platter and serve with the dipping sauce in individual small ramekins.
NotesThis recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional and may have been scaled down from a bulk recipe. The Food Network Kitchens have not it for home use and therefore cannot make any representation as to the results.