Easy Lettuce King Dumplings (Microwave 7 Min)
Simple Lettuce Dumplings with a Dim Sum Flavor ~ 7 Minutes in the Microwave!
This recipe was born from a craving for dumplings and a desire to make them even simpler! These lettuce dumplings evoke the rich flavors of dim sum, and with the addition of gelatin, they’re practically indistinguishable. Making them large like traditional ‘wang mandu’ (king dumplings) saves time, simplifies preparation, and results in a clean, hassle-free cleanup. ✌️ You absolutely must try this! The ingredients are simple, and the taste, along with the nutritional value, will leave you completely satisfied. ( ´∀`)
Dumpling Filling Ingredients
- 100g minced beef
- 100g minced pork
- 50g chives (approximately the amount that fills a circle made by your thumb and index finger)
- 6cm white part of green onion (about 20g)
- About 20g carrot
- 1 egg
- 1 head of lettuce
Dumpling Seasoning
- 15ml soy sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml cooking wine (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml sesame oil (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml oyster sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 7.5ml minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp)
- 2.5ml grated ginger (about 1/4 tsp)
- 1.25ml salt (about 1/4 tsp)
- 3 shakes of pepper
- 30ml starch (2 Tbsp)
- 15ml soy sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml cooking wine (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml sesame oil (1 Tbsp)
- 15ml oyster sauce (1 Tbsp)
- 7.5ml minced garlic (0.5 Tbsp)
- 2.5ml grated ginger (about 1/4 tsp)
- 1.25ml salt (about 1/4 tsp)
- 3 shakes of pepper
- 30ml starch (2 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a bowl, combine the minced beef and pork. Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients (soy sauce, cooking wine, sesame oil, oyster sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper) and mix well. Finally, add the starch and mix again. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Using plenty of chives makes them even more delicious. (50g is roughly the amount that fills a circle made by your thumb and index finger.)
Step 2
Instead of washing the lettuce immediately, trim off the tough outer leaves and cut out the hard core from the bottom. Then, prepare to wash it by blanching it in hot water.
Step 3
Place the prepared lettuce in a large bowl. Pour 1 liter of boiling hot water directly over the lettuce. Use a spoon to turn the leaves over so they are evenly exposed to the heat, softening them. Once the lettuce has wilted slightly, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for 2 minutes to make the leaves more pliable.
Step 4
Carefully remove the softened lettuce from the hot water and rinse it under cold water to cool it down. Squeeze out as much water as possible by hand. Trim off any tough bottom parts, using only the tender leaves. After thoroughly squeezing out the moisture, finely chop the lettuce and add it to the rested dumpling filling, mixing everything together. Chopping finely helps it integrate well into the filling.
Step 5
Thinly slice the carrot, then julienne it into fine strips. Place the shredded carrot in a microwave-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on 500W for 1 minute to slightly soften it. This makes the carrot tender and easier to mix into the dumpling filling.
Step 6
Divide the dumpling filling, which has rested for 20 minutes, into 6 portions. Place a generous portion of the filling onto a softened lettuce leaf. Carefully wrap the lettuce leaf around the filling, shaping it like a neat bundle or a flower bud.
Step 7
You will have 6 large dumplings. If the lettuce leaves are large, you can wrap them a second time with another lettuce leaf to ensure the filling doesn’t leak and to create a more substantial dumpling. This double wrapping also helps the dumplings maintain their shape during cooking.
Step 8
Place the wrapped dumplings in a microwave-safe container, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on 500W for 7 minutes. If you’re concerned about the large amount of filling ensuring it cooks through, it’s perfectly fine to microwave for an additional minute (up to 8 minutes). After cooking, let them rest for a moment to allow residual heat to finish cooking, ensuring a moist result.
Step 9
Enjoy your freshly cooked lettuce king dumplings! They offer a delightful dim sum-like flavor and a wonderfully tender texture.
