How To Make a Dumpling? Four Ingredient Basic Dumpling Recipe 🥟

Are you a beginner? Never cooked more than a mean bowl of cereal? Well.. we’re starting together. Hi there! My name is Gregory Kulp, and I’m a hardcore fan of dumplings. But I know close to nothing about them. I am so pumped to learn more and share what I learn as I go. Let’s begin! Dumplings are a popular and versatile food enjoyed in many cultures around the world. They can be sweet or savory, and can be served as a main dish, side dish, or dessert. Today, I want focus on how to make a classic savory dumpling starting with only four ingredients, perfect for serving with soup or as a snack. 

Making dumplings at home from scratch is fun as $#@&, let’s be honest. So far, I’ve had a blast, and definitely some mishaps. It's also a great way to use up leftover ingredients and get creative in the kitchen. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own delicious dumplings from scratch, thank you internet!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Filling of your choice (e.g. minced meat, vegetables, tofu, cheese, etc.)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the water gradually, stirring until the dough comes together in a smooth ball. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time. If it feels too wet, add a little more flour.

2. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, I’ve been told 7-10 minutes is ideal. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and set aside to rest for at least 20 minutes, I went with 30 minutes. A huge part of me wanted to drizzle olive oil on the dough before proofing it but… I didn’t. So don’t.

3. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling of your choice. If using meat, cook and chop it into small pieces. If using vegetables, chop them into small pieces and sauté until they are tender. I went with pork belly that I had the day before and green onion that were left over!

4. Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out circles of dough. As a noob, I only had a glass and it worked just fine.

5. Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, and press the edges together to seal the dumpling (I used a fork to do this). If you have trouble sealing the dumplings, you can use a little water to moisten the edges and help them stick together.

6. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently place the dumplings into the boiling water, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Cook the dumplings for 3-4 minutes, or until they float to the surface.

7. Remove the dumplings from the pot with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl of cold water to cool. This will help them retain their shape and prevent them from sticking together.

8. Once the dumplings are cool, you can serve them immediately or freeze them for later use. To serve, you can pan-fry the dumplings in a little oil until they are golden brown and crisp, or you can steam them for a softer texture. Serve the dumplings with your choice of dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, vinegar, or chili oil.

That's it! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make your own delicious dumplings at home. Experiment with different fillings and sauces to create your own unique flavors which is something I absolutely look forward to doing!