According to my mother, ours is a wonton household. I grew up watching my parents deftly fold armies of plump little wonton soldiers at the kitchen table, watching my mother boil plate after plate of them, slurping copious bowls of soup, and, if I was lucky, crunching into a panful of fried wontons on a special occasion. But when it came to dumplings, our consumption was mainly of the frozen variety — bought in bulk and boiled or pan-fried by my dad on weekend lunch duty. (The other two members of the rotation were ramen and Papa John’s. In other words, weekend lunches were the best.)
So, when I set out to make dumplings from scratch last year, I didn’t have a whole lot of experience behind me. But it turns out they’re delightful. The dough is simplicity at its best, and I find the pleating miles easier than the flip-and-twist-and-seal dance that wontons call for. I think they’d be perfect for an afternoon when you have a little extra time on your hands, or a DIY dinner party (which, I guess, is why dumpling parties are a thing). You can find my take on potstickers, plus recipes for three different fillings, over at Verily Magazine this morning. Hope you’re all having lovely weeks!
July 10, 2014 at 9:25 am
Is it bad that all I can think are a) I loved eating frozen dumplings and b) all that flour in the crevices of the table!! I don’t envy the cleanup…(I clearly have a strange thinking process).
July 10, 2014 at 10:13 am
BAHA I still love frozen dumplings too!! Ain’t no shame. And if it makes you feel better, flour is one of the easier things to wipe up 🙂 though that’s not always the case for things that I spill everywhere… -___-
July 10, 2014 at 9:26 am
GASP. these photos are INSANELY amazing. i am so sad that we didn’t know each other when i lived in brooklyn… i had many many dumpling parties.
July 10, 2014 at 10:23 am
Ahhh! You’re insanely amazing <3 Esp for all those dumpling parties -- I feel so post-facto deprived :'( We are such star-cross'd neighbors.
July 10, 2014 at 9:38 am
Omg. I want a dumpling party right now. Ours was totally a wonton/dumpling mash up household–my dad always made the wontons and my mom made the potstickers. Our weekend lunches were always the best too! It’d either be ramen with wontons or Annie’s mac n cheese. Omg so good! THESE PHOTOS ARE SO SO GORGEOUS.
July 10, 2014 at 10:33 am
I love it!!! Such efficient division of labor 😉 (Also, yesss Annie’s mac and cheese!) Thanks so much, lady!
July 10, 2014 at 9:46 am
Omg these photos are delicious and potstickers are comforting favorite of mine 🙂
July 10, 2014 at 10:34 am
Thank you so much, Medha! Me too 🙂 And folding them by hand was kind of therapeutic in a way — comfort in more ways than one!
July 10, 2014 at 10:42 am
YES. I have been wanting potstickers. The recipe looks much easier than I imagined. So much love for these pics, girl!
July 10, 2014 at 4:46 pm
They really are so easy!! I was so surprised the first time I made them. If you give them a shot, let me know how it goes! And thank you so much for the kind words 🙂
July 10, 2014 at 10:45 am
love this, cynthia! my mom is the dumpling master – both my parents are from northern china, and they used to do the most amazing tag-team, with my dad rolling the rounds and my mom filling them. since my dad died, i’m the feeble fill-in at the wrapper station. i love your biscuit-cutter method! but i don’t think my mom will go for it. =P
but you’ve inspired me to do a dumpling post this fall…after putting it off for four years. thanks for this – so, so beautiful.
July 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I love this comment so much! Family food memories are the best. I feel like they’re so often the most vivid. Our wonton nights sound so similar! My dad folds while my mom cooks (and I “fold,” but about 15 times slower and with results 1000 times more misshapen). Also, I got a big kick out of your biscuit-cutter comment. I used to do it the traditional way, but I think I’m too lazy… Hahaha.
I can’t wait to see your take on dumplings! I just know it’s going to be wonderful and so thoughtful as always. (Speaking of, I read your kitchen post and your posts about your dad and father-in-law this morning, and was moved beyond words. I’ve been trying to figure out how to put it into words in a real comment, but until then, just wanted to let you know that you are wonderful.)
July 10, 2014 at 1:15 pm
They look so delicious! They sound much easier to make than i thought – Will definitely try these soon, can’t decide which filling I should start with! Beautiful pictures and composition – love the lighting!
July 10, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Right? I thought they’d be much harder too! If you give them a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out 🙂 Thank you so much, Medha!
July 10, 2014 at 1:38 pm
These dumplings sound amazing, the photos are beyond amazing (honestly, just how talented are you, lady?!?), and I’m pretty sure these taste incredible as well. Actually, I’ve been dreaming of your buns ever since that post, but lately, I’ve been thinking of them even more. Unfortunately, as I’m living a cottage life right now with limited kitchen space and facilities, I have to wait until I’m back in the city. Can’t wait to make some buns AND dumplings. I guess I have to throw a party.
July 11, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Aw, Sini! You always make me blush. I would fly out to Finland for a blue & white kitchen party!! Can’t wait to hear what you think if you end up trying these (or the bunz!) <3 <3 until then I hope you have a magical time at the cottage!
July 10, 2014 at 1:45 pm
ooh dumplings are so my ultimate comfort food. if you have a dumpling party, i’m invited right!? 🙂
July 11, 2014 at 6:58 pm
You would be the guest of HONOR, lady!! <3
July 10, 2014 at 3:16 pm
yumm! So so good. I love shiitake portobello dumplings and I’m slightly obsessed with them. And the photos, even more delicious! 😀
July 11, 2014 at 6:59 pm
OK, I have to admit I had a little fangirl moment when I saw your comment, Gabriel!!! So obsessed with your gorgeous blog <3 Thank you so much for stopping by!!!
July 10, 2014 at 7:24 pm
I’m so slow at shaping dumplings — I have never gone as far as making my own wrapper dough to add to the workload! But this is inspiring me to try it finally! I liked the sweet story of your weekend lunches. And you made this whole process look absolutely gorgeous!
July 11, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Dumpling-making really is an endeavor! In a weird way, I think maybe homemade dough is easier to pleat than storebought? Since it’s a little less floured, it seals without water, which I find simplifies things a ton … but maybe I’m just making that up. haha. Anyway, thank you so so much, Sophie!!! <3
July 14, 2014 at 10:31 am
That makes so much sense! Not needing water for sealing really would save time. Thanks for your expertise!
July 10, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Gorgeous potstickers, these look so good!
July 10, 2014 at 8:43 pm
Want. Potstickers. Can’t. Talk. Want to eat!
July 10, 2014 at 8:55 pm
I checked out the potstickers – they sound great. Esp. the tofu and vegetable.
And your photographs are lovely!
July 10, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Yummmmm what pretty potstickers!!! Re your note about dumpling parties, I once attended a dumpling party that ended up in like 6 hours worth of backbreaking labor as we rolled and folded over 300 dumplings. I think I had blisters on my hands by the end of it. Was it worth it? Yes, yes it was.
July 10, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Your pleating is gahhh so beautiful! How can it be easier than wonton wrapping though?! I need to lift my game up on my pleating skills haha! Beautiful write up and photos as always x
July 10, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Why have I not made my own potstickers yet?? These look incredible. MUST MAKE!
July 11, 2014 at 2:43 am
Cynthia, you are AWESOME (duh, we knew that already)!!!!!!
The first time I made dumplings was when I was 15 and I was already in my asian food craze, which was impossible to find where I lived. i loved making my own! I only had the pork filling, until I tried the vegetarian one at a chinese restaurant who made them off menu specifically for us. I could not believe that they could taste so amazing (and I don’t even like cotton tofu)! I am so happy that you also posted the vegetarian filling!!! <3 <3 <3
(I think the ones I had had leek too. I'll add that along)
July 11, 2014 at 3:36 am
You. Are. Amazing.
I have printed the recipe out and plan on making these this weekend!
I have this obsession with dumplings (or potstickers as you guys, over the pond; call them?) whenever I can get them I will.. I used to buy frozen dumplings but then overnight they became ridiculously expensive! This recipe looks so easy.. If I can learn how to make them I will be so over the moon and you will be my bestest friend forever and ever!
You make me smile! 🙂
More recipes please!
July 11, 2014 at 4:38 am
I’d really like to attend a dumpling party…hint hint 😉
July 11, 2014 at 7:02 am
Know what’s pathetic? I haven’t made potstickers. Ever. And I love things stuffed with things! (Potstickers, perogies, varenyky, chocolate bars…) One day I will have a dumpling party and force my loved ones to make me potstickers in an assembly line type deal, and then bring them to me as I rest upon the couch…
July 11, 2014 at 11:13 am
Gurl.. you are just amazing! These photos are so beautiful! I need a lesson in dumpling making.. 🙂
July 11, 2014 at 12:43 pm
these photos are super beautiful, cynthia! i love how messy but clean they are (if that makes sense!?). your house sounds a lot like mine when i was growing up – thought out food on special occasions and dad-meals + easy eats for the day-to-day. loving all those extra shots on Verily too 😉 xo
July 12, 2014 at 3:09 am
Really, really, really, really want these right now… Really.
July 12, 2014 at 9:26 am
Love the idea of a dumpling party – it totally makes sense to make a whole lot once you decide to cover every inch of your kitchen in flour (which is what inevitably happens when I make dumplings). I have only made potstickers once and they were nowhere near as perfectly pleated as yours but so so delicious!
Wonderful photos and now I just want to have a dumpling party!
July 13, 2014 at 1:57 am
Your dumplings look amazing! I’m so intimidated by wrapping dumplings, although I’ve seen my parents make them so many times. It’s shame that I still cannot wrap beautiful dumplings although I grew up in China… I really agree with you. I need a bit time and some practice on my own!
July 13, 2014 at 10:49 pm
this recipe definitely brought back some childhood nostalgia when all i would eat is gyoza! saving this recipe to recreate.. thanks for sharing another great idea and for providing much inspiration!
July 14, 2014 at 12:39 am
Mmm, dumplings!
July 14, 2014 at 10:13 am
Cynthia, I am so so so happy with this recipe – literally jumping up and down. I adore dumplings and had never dreamed of making them myself…until I saw this (beautiful, by the way – oh my goodness your photos!) post and recipe! Thank you, lovely! Xx
July 14, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Gorgeous pictures!! Those dumplings are so perfectly formed!!
July 14, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Potstickers are the best! I just went out for Shanghai food on Saturday night and the entire table was filled with soup dumplings and pot stickers. I’ve never made them myself because I’m way too intimidated but you’re inspiring me to try. Your potstickers look perfect and these photos. Girl, I’m beside myself. They’re so beautiful! Heading over to Veriily to check out your post and get myself some good recipes 🙂
July 14, 2014 at 4:56 pm
your food origami is making me do the crying face emoji right now bc i can never eat potsticker wraps (wheat intolerance). if you ever figured out how to make a gf version of these i would send you SO many chocolate bars of gratitude. the fillings sound BOSS tho. i might just eat those w rice noodles 😉
July 14, 2014 at 6:51 pm
OMG I just tweeted you about this! So I tried a GF version for traditional potstickers and was not having the best luck, although this F&W recipe looks amazing: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/crispy-gluten-free-pork-potstickers-with-sesame-dipping-sauce But I super super want to try making har gow or a vegetarian teochew style dim sum dumpling and those wrappers are naturally GF — this is going up the priority list now! <3 <3
July 15, 2014 at 11:59 am
i didn’t even know there was a rice paper wrap style dumpling. mind blown. let me know when you post it, if you get around to it! i trust your dimpling skills way more than i trust my own, ha!
July 15, 2014 at 11:16 am
Cynthia, these look so good, we need to do a dumpling or dim sum party because dumplings are comfort food to me! We might need several bamboo steamers and woks 🙂
Gooey Chocolate Oat Cake | The Pancake Princess says:
July 15, 2014 at 12:32 pm
[…] Shout out to a certain miss who has been killing it with her step-by-step photography and inspired a lot of these photos! […]
July 19, 2014 at 7:34 pm
Potstickers are some of my favorite things ever – you are such a BAMF for making them!
July 21, 2014 at 9:01 am
Thank you for sharing this wisdom!!! Robert is a little Chinese-food obsessed and we are both fried dumpling-obsessed, so this has been on our to-do list for a while as a “cooking date night.” Maybe we should just throw a dumpling party though ….
Soy-Braised Tofu | Guest Post by, Two Red Bowls - With Food + Love says:
September 10, 2014 at 8:12 am
[…] these Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Chamomile Whipped Cream. And I’m obsessed with these Potstickers – I really need to adapt these into a gluten-free version like, […]
October/November - says:
November 4, 2014 at 2:45 pm
[…] POTSTICKERS. Danny is obsessed with them. And now I am, too. Why haven’t I made these yet? And so many more delicious-looking things from Cynthia’s blog, like these mini chamomile thyme chess pies. […]