Pork Potstickers

Pork Potstickers

Ingredients:

  • 100 (3.5-inch square) wonton wrappers
  • 1 ¾ pounds ground pork
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 5 cups finely shredded Chinese cabbage

Instructions:

Step One: Add pork, cabbage, garlic, green onion, hoisin, sesame oil, ginger and a large pinch of salt and pepper to a large bowl. Mix until well combined

Step Two: Fill a small bowl with water. Lay out a dumpling wrapper and use your finger dipped in water to wet the entire edge of the wrapper. Scoop about a tablespoon of filling into the center of the dumpling wrapper. A cookie scoop works well for this

Step Three: Fold the wrapper and press the edges together to seal the dumpling into a half-moon shape. Place the dumpling onto a baking sheet, gently pressing it down so the bottom flattens and it can stand on its own

Step Four: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Working in batches of about 6-8 (depending on the size of your pan) add dumplings, flat side down, and cook for about 1-2 minutes or until the bottom is a dark golden brown. You can also use an Asian steamer basket, just remember not to overlap the potstickers because they will stick together

Step Five: Carefully pour a 1/4 cup of water into the pan and cover immediately. The mixture of oil and water will cause the pan to spit and spatter oil everywhere, so be sure to have the lid handy before pouring the water. Cook the dumplings, covered for 3-4 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed

Step Six: Remove the lid and cook for another 30 seconds until the bottoms are crisp again. Repeat with remaining dumplings. Add more oil as necessary so that the bottom of your pan is always coated in a thin layer of oil

Step Seven: Serve with soy sauce and garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds

Notes: Do not overlap the potstickers when cooking them in the pan/steamer. They will stick together and ultimately rip apart.

Story: Dumplings, gyoza, bao, potstickers. These tasty, pillowy, savory pockets of joy are my absolute favorite. Eat a couple and call it an appetizer. Eat twenty and call it dinner. Save the leftovers in the freezer for a special treat – your future self will thank you!