Pork and Cabbage Dumplings (Wor Tip)
By America's Test KitchenPublished on August 21, 2007
Time
1½ hours, plus 20 minutes salting and 30 minutes chilling
Yield
Serves 6 as first course (Makes 24 dumplings)
Ingredients
Filling
3 cups minced napa cabbage leaves (about ½ medium head)¾ teaspoon table salt ¾ pound ground pork 4 minced scallions (about 6 tablespoons)2 egg whites, lightly beaten4 teaspoons soy sauce 1 ½ teaspoons minced or grated fresh ginger 1 medium garlic clove, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)⅛ teaspoon ground black pepperDumplings
24 round gyoza wrappers (see note)2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup water, plus extra for brushingBefore You Begin
We prefer to use gyoza wrappers here. You can substitute wonton wrappers, but the cooking time in step 4 will be reduced from 10 minutes to 5 or 6 minutes, and note that the yield will increase to 40 potstickers (see "Different Wrappers, Different Methods" below for more information). These dumplings are best served hot from the skillet; we recommend that you serve the first batch immediately, then cook the second batch. To freeze, place filled, uncooked dumplings in the freezer in a single layer on a plate until frozen, then transfer to a storage bag. There's no need to thaw frozen dumplings; just proceed with the recipe.
Instructions
- Toss cabbage with the salt in colander set over a bowl and let stand until cabbage begins to wilt, about 20 minutes. Press the cabbage gently with rubber spatula to squeeze out any excess moisture, the transfer to a medium bowl. Add the remaining filling ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until mixture is cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Working with 4 wrappers at a time (keep the remaining wrappers covered with plastic wrap), follow the photos below to fill, seal, and shape the dumplings using one slightly rounded tablespoon of the chilled filling per dumpling. Transfer the dumplings to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling; you should have about 24 dumplings. (The dumplings can be wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 day, or frozen for up to 1 month. Once frozen, the dumplings can be transferred to a zipper-lock bag to save space in the freezer; do not thaw before cooking.)
- Line a large plate with a double layer of paper towels; set aside. Brush 1 tablespoon of the oil over the bottom of a 12-inch nonstick skillet and arrange half of the dumplings in the skillet, with a flat side facing down (overlapping just slightly if necessary). Place the skillet over medium-high heat and cook the dumplings, without moving, until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, add 1⁄2 cup of the water, and cover immediately. Continue to cook, covered, until most of the water is absorbed and the wrappers are slightly translucent, about 10 minutes. Uncover the skillet, increase the heat to medium-high, and continue to cook, without stirring, until the dumpling bottoms are well browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes more. Slide the dumplings onto the paper towel-lined plate, browned side facing down, and let drain briefly. Transfer the dumplings to a serving platter and serve with scallion dipping sauce (see related recipe). Let the skillet cool until just warm, then wipe it clean with a wad of paper towels and repeat step 3 with the remaining dumplings, oil, and water.
for the filling
for the dumplings
Time
1½ hours, plus 20 minutes salting and 30 minutes chillingYield
Serves 6 as first course (Makes 24 dumplings)Ingredients
Filling
Dumplings
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Filling
Dumplings
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Filling
Dumplings
Test Kitchen Techniques
Why This Recipe Works
We wanted a recipe for soft, savory pillows filled with tender pork and crunchy cabbage and spiked with a pleasing hit of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. To get there, we lightened up our filling by increasing the amount of cabbage after first salting and draining it to get rid of excess moisture and then adding lightly beaten egg whites. A sequence of browning, steaming, and cranking up the heat produced a potsticker with a pleasing balance of soft and crispy textures.
Before You Begin
We prefer to use gyoza wrappers here. You can substitute wonton wrappers, but the cooking time in step 4 will be reduced from 10 minutes to 5 or 6 minutes, and note that the yield will increase to 40 potstickers (see "Different Wrappers, Different Methods" below for more information). These dumplings are best served hot from the skillet; we recommend that you serve the first batch immediately, then cook the second batch. To freeze, place filled, uncooked dumplings in the freezer in a single layer on a plate until frozen, then transfer to a storage bag. There's no need to thaw frozen dumplings; just proceed with the recipe.
Instructions
- Toss cabbage with the salt in colander set over a bowl and let stand until cabbage begins to wilt, about 20 minutes. Press the cabbage gently with rubber spatula to squeeze out any excess moisture, the transfer to a medium bowl. Add the remaining filling ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until mixture is cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Working with 4 wrappers at a time (keep the remaining wrappers covered with plastic wrap), follow the photos below to fill, seal, and shape the dumplings using one slightly rounded tablespoon of the chilled filling per dumpling. Transfer the dumplings to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling; you should have about 24 dumplings. (The dumplings can be wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 day, or frozen for up to 1 month. Once frozen, the dumplings can be transferred to a zipper-lock bag to save space in the freezer; do not thaw before cooking.)
- Line a large plate with a double layer of paper towels; set aside. Brush 1 tablespoon of the oil over the bottom of a 12-inch nonstick skillet and arrange half of the dumplings in the skillet, with a flat side facing down (overlapping just slightly if necessary). Place the skillet over medium-high heat and cook the dumplings, without moving, until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, add 1⁄2 cup of the water, and cover immediately. Continue to cook, covered, until most of the water is absorbed and the wrappers are slightly translucent, about 10 minutes. Uncover the skillet, increase the heat to medium-high, and continue to cook, without stirring, until the dumpling bottoms are well browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes more. Slide the dumplings onto the paper towel-lined plate, browned side facing down, and let drain briefly. Transfer the dumplings to a serving platter and serve with scallion dipping sauce (see related recipe). Let the skillet cool until just warm, then wipe it clean with a wad of paper towels and repeat step 3 with the remaining dumplings, oil, and water.
for the filling
for the dumplings
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