Drowned Chili Crisp Dumplings Recipes

CHILE CRISP DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Arrange the tofu slices in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel or between double layers of paper towels. Roll tightly in the towel as if rolling a sleeping bag, then squeeze it over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible. Let stand 10 minutes for the tofu to continue releasing liquid. If the towel gets soaked, transfer the tofu to another dry towel.
• Toss the spinach, chives and salt in a colander. Let stand for 10 minutes, then squeeze the greens in the colander over the sink to release as much liquid as possible. Transfer the greens mixture to a large bowl. Add the drained tofu, squeezing it to crumble into bits as you add it, then mix evenly with the greens. Add the celery, soy sauce and chile crisp, and stir until evenly mixed. Taste, and add more soy sauce and chile crisp, if you'd like. The filling on its own should be very flavorful because the wrappers are not seasoned at all.
• Set up a dumpling assembly line with the bowl of filling, wrappers and a small bowl of water. Using a dessert spoon or other small spoon, scoop a mound of filling, then press it against the side of the bowl into a tiny football. Set the filling in the center of one wrapper. Use your fingertip to dampen the edges with water. Bring together the sides over the filling to enclose in a half-moon. Pinch the center together, then press the edges together to seal, pleating decoratively if you'd like. Sit the dumpling upright on your work surface. Repeat with the remaining filling and wrappers. Cook immediately or freeze in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet until hard, then transfer to airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
• You can cook as many or as few dumplings at a time as you'd like. Choose your pan size accordingly: An 8-inch skillet will fit 8 to 10; a 10-inch will fit 14 to 16. When ready to cook, coat a well-seasoned cast-iron pan or nonstick skillet with a thin, even layer of oil. Arrange the dumplings in the pan, pleated side up, spacing 1/3 inch apart, and filling the pan. Add enough cold water to the pan to come 1/3 inch up the sides (about 1/4 cup for an 8-inch pan; 1/2 cup for a 10-inch).
• Cover the skillet and cook over medium until the rapid firecracker popping diminishes to a steady, low crackle, indicating that all the water has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Uncover and check to see if the bottoms are browned and the dough is slightly translucent all the way to the top. If so, remove from the heat. If not, cook uncovered 1 to 2 minutes longer. Let stand for a minute so the dumplings release from the skillet naturally. Transfer to a plate, browned side up. Make your own dipping sauce with any combination of soy sauce, chile crisp, vinegar and sesame oil, and enjoy with the hot dumplings.

PAN-FRIED PORK AND CHIVE DUMPLINGS WITH CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Put the egg, pork, chives, cabbage, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar and white pepper in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands or a rubber spatula until well combined.
• Fill a small bowl with cold water. Set a dumpling wrapper on a clean surface (keep the rest covered with a damp paper towel so they don't dry out). Scoop two teaspoons of the filling into the center of the wrapper. Dab a finger into the water and brush along the edges of the wrapper, about 1/4 inch of the rim. Fold the wrapper in half over the filling to create a half-moon. Gather a corner of the dumpling and pinch to form a seal. Using your index finger as a guide, create four to five equally-spaced pleats until you reach the other corner of the wrapper. Press down to seal that other corner. If the wrapper isn't sealing, add a small dab of water to help it seal. Transfer to a baking sheet and cover with a damp paper towel while you form the remaining dumplings.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the dumplings in a single layer. Add 1/3 cup water and reduce the heat to medium-low. (If using a medium skillet, add 1/4 cup water.) Cover with a lid (preferably glass) and cook until the wrappers become slightly opaque, 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until most of the liquid evaporates, then cook over medium heat until the bottoms are crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Loosen the dumplings from the skillet with a spatula and transfer to a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining dumplings, adding 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in between batches.
• Drizzle chile crisp over the pan-fried dumplings and serve with a side of Chinese black vinegar, if desired. Enjoy while warm.

HOMEMADE DUMPLING WRAPPERS

Steps:

• Place the flour in a large bowl and set the bowl on a damp kitchen towel so it won't slip. Add the hot water in a steady stream while stirring with chopsticks or a fork. Stir until all the flour is hydrated and the mixture becomes shaggy. Let stand until cool enough to handle, 2 to 5 minutes.
• Use your hands to gather and knead the shaggy mass into a ball in the bowl. Turn out onto a work surface and knead until slightly elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. The dough should be tacky but not sticky, and it won't look completely smooth. If it sticks to the surface, flour the work surface lightly and continue kneading. Knead into a ball and cover loosely with a clean damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let stand for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Divide the dough in half. Roll one piece to a 1/16-inch thickness. You shouldn't need to flour the surface while rolling, but do so if the dough is sticking. Once the dough is thin enough, lift it off the surface, flour the surface lightly, and place the dough back down. Cut out 3 1/2-inch rounds as close together as possible, then gather the scraps and cover the rounds with the damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining dough and knead those scraps with the first batch of scraps, then let rest for 5 minutes before rerolling and cutting. (See Note for a more traditional way to roll the wrappers.) Use the wrappers immediately for dumplings, such as chile crisp dumplings.