Hearty Homemade Dumplings for Festive Gatherings
Chuseok Holiday Special: Delicious Homemade Dumplings, Perfect for Making Together with Family
Gathering around to make dumplings during holidays brings a wonderful sense of togetherness and warmth. Enjoy a bountiful holiday season with these lovingly crafted, warm dumplings.
Dumpling Filling Ingredients- 60g fresh chives
- 600g ground pork (lean cut preferred)
- 200g firm tofu
- 300g bean sprouts
- 100g glass noodles, soaked
- 200g kimchi, well-fermented
Seasoning and Flavoring- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp chicken stock
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of salt
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp chicken stock
- 0.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the 100g of glass noodles in water for at least 30 minutes until they become soft and pliable. This will give them a pleasant chewiness in the filling.
Step 2
Rinse the 300g of bean sprouts thoroughly. Blanch them in boiling water for just 30 seconds to 1 minute – avoid overcooking as they can become mushy. Immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze out as much water as possible by hand; this is crucial to prevent a watery filling.
Step 3
Pat the 600g of ground pork dry with paper towels to remove any excess blood. This step helps eliminate any gamey odors. Marinate the pork with 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp sugar, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and let it sit for a bit to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4
Boil the soaked glass noodles in fresh boiling water. Adding about 1 tsp of soy sauce to the boiling water can impart a subtle color and flavor to the noodles. Once the noodles are translucent and tender, drain them in a colander and allow all excess water to evaporate.
Step 5
Squeeze the 200g of firm tofu very well using a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towels to remove as much water as possible. Removing water from the tofu ensures a clean flavor and texture for the dumpling filling.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to finely chop all the prepared filling ingredients. Chop the chives finely. Mash the tofu with the back of a knife or finely mince it. Chop the blanched bean sprouts into bite-sized pieces. For the cooked glass noodles, using kitchen scissors to cut them into small pieces makes them much easier to handle and prevents them from clumping together.
Step 7
In a large bowl, combine all the prepared ingredients except the kimchi: ground pork, chives, bean sprouts, glass noodles, and tofu. Add 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 0.5 Tbsp chicken stock, a pinch of black pepper, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Gently mix and knead the ingredients with your hands until well combined, being careful not to mash them too much.
Step 8
To incorporate the spicy kick of kimchi, divide the mixed filling into two separate bowls. This allows you to make both kimchi dumplings and regular dumplings.
Step 9
To one of the divided portions of filling, add the finely chopped kimchi (200g) that has been thoroughly squeezed to remove excess liquid. Mix well. If the kimchi is too sour, you can add a tiny bit of sugar to balance the flavor. Your vibrant kimchi dumpling filling is ready!
Step 10
Prepare your workspace for assembling the dumplings. Get a large plate or tray ready, and have a small bowl of water nearby for moistening the dumpling wrappers.
Step 11
Take one dumpling wrapper and lay it flat. Place a spoonful of your chosen filling (kimchi or regular) in the center. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper. This will help seal the dumplings securely. Fold the wrapper in half over the filling and pinch to seal.
Step 12
You can create a simple half-moon shape by pinching the edges tightly, or add decorative pleats for a more elaborate look. Making fun shapes can be especially enjoyable if you’re crafting dumplings with children.
Step 13
Once all your dumplings are shaped, line a steamer basket with damp cheesecloth or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Arrange the dumplings in the steamer basket without overcrowding them. Steam over boiling water for 10-12 minutes, or until the wrappers are translucent and the filling is cooked through. Adjust the steaming time based on the size of your dumplings.
Step 14
Your delicious, steaming hot dumplings are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. We hope you have a wonderful mealtime filled with these labor-of-love homemade dumplings.
