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Our Expert-Tested Dumpling Techniques Will Help You Make Them Like A Pro At Home
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“Do this in front of a Taiwanese auntie, and they’re going to think you’re pro.” As a food writer and content editor at Tasty, I'm your internet kitchen confidante. • Chop the cabbage very finely. Otherwise, big pieces make wrapping nearly impossible. • Don't overfill. One teaspoon of filling on the bottom half of the wrapper is enough. • When folding, pleat only the top layer — four or five pleats is plenty. • Look for garlic chives at a Korean or Asian grocery store if your regular supermarket doesn't carry them. • Let your filling chill before wrapping for a better texture. • Use a cookie scoop to portion the filling — even amounts of filling mean even cooking time. • Line your bamboo steamer with napa cabbage instead of parchment — it prevents sticking and adds fragrance. • Don't peek during steaming. Lifting the lid lets steam escape and causes uneven cooking. • Use a food processor for chopping — it saves significant time, and Joelle does it at home too. • Put the filling on the less-floured side of the wrapper so the flour stays on the exterior and keeps dumplings from sticking while they rest. • The wang mandu fold (fold in half, pinch edges, then fold the two corners together like a hug) fits more filling than other shapes. • Try the hot-cold-hot boiling method for perfectly cooked dumpling wrappers.