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These Juicy Pork & Chive Pan-Fried Dumplings are filled with a delicious mixture of ground pork, chives, cabbage, and ginger, offering a burst of flavor in every bite. With a crispy bottom and tender, juicy filling, these dumplings are a perfect appetizer or meal. This recipe combines the simplicity of pan-frying with the rich, savory taste of homemade dumplings, making it a fun and rewarding dish to prepare.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Dumpling Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup boiling water
1/2 teaspoon table salt
Cornstarch (as needed for dusting)

For the Pork & Chive Filling:

1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup diced chives
1 1/2 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Kosher salt (to taste)

For Assembly and Serving:

1/4 cup vegetable oil (divided)
1 teaspoon diced chives
1/2 teaspoon white sesame seeds
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup crunchy chili oil
Soy sauce (for dipping)

Directions

Prepare the Dough: Sift the flour into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, dissolve the salt in the boiling water. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of the hot water into the flour and stir until the dough begins to come together. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, chives, cabbage, ginger, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and let sit for about 15 minutes.
Assemble the Dumplings: Roll the dough into logs, cut them into 1-inch pieces, and roll each piece into a ball. Flatten the balls into circles and add a tablespoon of the pork mixture in the center. Fold the dough around the filling, pleating and pinching the edges to seal.
Cook the Dumplings: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the dumplings, flat side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan and cover with a lid, cooking for an additional 7 minutes, until the water evaporates and the dumplings are crispy and golden.
Serve: Remove the dumplings and serve them topped with chives, sesame seeds, a drizzle of sesame oil, crunchy chili oil, and soy sauce for dipping.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 250-300 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25-30g
Protein: 14-16g
Fat: 12-15g
Sodium: 600-700mg
Fiber: 2-3g

The Joy of Homemade Dumplings

There is something deeply satisfying about making dumplings from scratch. While store-bought dumplings are convenient, homemade versions allow you to control the ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality. The dough is soft and pliable, creating a perfect vessel for the flavorful filling inside. Kneading and rolling the dough by hand gives a sense of accomplishment, and the rewarding part comes when the dumplings are cooked to golden perfection.

Homemade dumplings also offer endless possibilities for customization. You can adjust the filling ingredients to your liking, experiment with different spices, or even change up the dipping sauces to suit your taste. The versatility of dumplings makes them an ideal dish for any occasion, whether you’re cooking for a crowd or preparing a cozy meal for yourself.

The Secret to the Perfect Dumpling Dough

The dumpling dough is one of the key elements that make these Pork & Chive Dumplings so delicious. The dough is simple to prepare with just flour, water, and salt, yet it creates a soft, chewy texture that complements the savory filling perfectly. The boiling water used to form the dough helps create a smooth, elastic texture, which is crucial for dumplings that can hold their shape while cooking.

Kneading the dough for about 10 minutes ensures that it develops the right consistency—soft but not too sticky. Resting the dough for 30 minutes allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out into thin circles. This simple dough recipe is versatile enough to use for different types of dumplings, and once you perfect it, you can create your own signature fillings to match.

The Flavorful Pork & Chive Filling

The filling for these dumplings is a delightful mixture of ground pork, chives, cabbage, and ginger. The ground pork provides a rich, savory base, while the chives add a fresh, slightly onion-like flavor that complements the richness of the meat. Cabbage adds a light crunch and freshness to the filling, making it a well-rounded and balanced mixture. The grated ginger infuses the filling with a warm, aromatic spice, giving the dumplings a depth of flavor that is unmistakably delicious.

To enhance the flavor, a touch of rice vinegar is added, balancing the richness of the pork with a subtle tang. The combination of these ingredients creates a juicy, flavorful filling that pairs perfectly with the soft dough. Letting the filling sit for 15 minutes allows the flavors to meld together, ensuring that each bite of the dumpling is as flavorful as it is juicy.

The Art of Assembling Dumplings

Assembling the dumplings is where the fun begins. After preparing the dough and filling, the next step is to form the dumplings. The dough is divided into small pieces, rolled into balls, and then flattened into circles. A generous tablespoon of the pork mixture is placed in the center of each circle, and the dough is folded around the filling to create a neat and secure package.

The technique of pleating the edges of the dumpling adds a touch of authenticity and creates a beautiful design. Pinching the edges to seal the dumpling ensures that the filling stays intact during cooking, preventing any of the flavorful juices from escaping. While it may take a little practice to perfect the pleating technique, the process is relatively straightforward, and even imperfect dumplings will taste just as delicious.

Pan-Frying: The Key to Crispy Dumplings

One of the standout features of these Pork & Chive Dumplings is the crispy bottom that develops during pan-frying. After assembling the dumplings, they are added to a hot pan with a small amount of vegetable oil. The dumplings are cooked until they develop a golden-brown crust on the bottom, which adds a satisfying crunch to each bite.

After the dumplings are seared on the bottom, a small amount of water is added to the pan, and the dumplings are covered with a lid to steam. This process ensures that the filling remains moist and juicy while the bottom crisps up. The combination of pan-frying and steaming gives the dumplings a perfect texture—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. This method of cooking is what makes these dumplings so irresistible and enjoyable.

The Finishing Touch: Garnishes and Dipping Sauces

Once the dumplings are cooked to perfection, they are ready to be served. The final touch is garnishing with fresh chives and sesame seeds, which add a pop of color and extra flavor. The chives provide a fresh, herbal note, while the sesame seeds offer a slight crunch and a nutty taste that complements the pork and chive filling.

The dumplings are traditionally served with a dipping sauce, often made from soy sauce, vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil or chili oil. The dipping sauce adds another layer of flavor to the dumplings, enhancing their savory taste and providing a perfect balance to the rich pork filling. The sauce can be adjusted to suit personal preferences, with options to add more heat, sweetness, or acidity depending on taste.

The Versatility of Dumplings

These Pork & Chive Dumplings are not only delicious but also versatile. While this recipe uses ground pork as the base, you can easily substitute it with other proteins such as ground chicken, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. The filling can be customized with additional vegetables like mushrooms or carrots, allowing you to experiment with different flavors and textures.

Dumplings can also be made ahead of time and frozen for later use. This makes them an excellent option for meal prep or for preparing a large batch to serve at a gathering. Simply cook the dumplings as directed, let them cool, and freeze them in a single layer. When ready to eat, they can be pan-fried directly from the freezer, making for a quick and easy meal that tastes just as fresh as when they were first made.

Why These Dumplings Are Perfect for Any Occasion

These Juicy Pork & Chive Pan-Fried Dumplings are perfect for a wide range of occasions. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a family meal, or looking for a fun dish to make with friends, these dumplings are a crowd-pleaser. They are easy to make, customizable, and offer a delicious, savory bite that everyone will enjoy.

They are also ideal for those who love to try their hand at making traditional dishes from scratch. Making dumplings at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to appreciate the process of preparing and cooking each individual dumpling. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can experiment with different fillings, sauces, and garnishes, making dumplings a versatile dish that can suit a wide range of tastes and occasions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Juicy Pork & Chive Pan-Fried Dumplings are a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the savory richness of pork with the freshness of chives and cabbage. The crispy bottom, tender filling, and simple yet delicious dipping sauce make these dumplings a hit at any meal. Whether served as an appetizer, a main course, or part of a dim sum spread, these dumplings are sure to impress and satisfy.

The process of making dumplings from scratch can seem intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly straightforward and fun. The recipe allows for customization, so you can easily adapt it to your preferences. Whether you stick with the classic pork and chive filling or get creative with your own variations, these dumplings are a rewarding dish to prepare and enjoy. With their perfect balance of flavors and textures, they are bound to become a favorite in your cooking repertoire.