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!
Sara
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).
tworedbowls
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… -___-
molly yeh
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.
tworedbowls
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.
erika
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.
tworedbowls
I love it!!! Such efficient division of labor 😉 (Also, yesss Annie’s mac and cheese!) Thanks so much, lady!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Omg these photos are delicious and potstickers are comforting favorite of mine 🙂
tworedbowls
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!
Athena @ Maple & Brick
YES. I have been wanting potstickers. The recipe looks much easier than I imagined. So much love for these pics, girl!
tworedbowls
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 🙂
lilian
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.
tworedbowls
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.)
farmonplate
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!
tworedbowls
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!
Sini | my blue&white kitchen
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.
tworedbowls
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!
stephanie
ooh dumplings are so my ultimate comfort food. if you have a dumpling party, i’m invited right!? 🙂
tworedbowls
You would be the guest of HONOR, lady!! <3
Gabriel
yumm! So so good. I love shiitake portobello dumplings and I’m slightly obsessed with them. And the photos, even more delicious! 😀
tworedbowls
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!!!
dinnersforwinners
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!
tworedbowls
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
dinnersforwinners
That makes so much sense! Not needing water for sealing really would save time. Thanks for your expertise!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Gorgeous potstickers, these look so good!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit
Want. Potstickers. Can’t. Talk. Want to eat!
Joyti
I checked out the potstickers – they sound great. Esp. the tofu and vegetable.
And your photographs are lovely!
Michelle @ Hummingbird High
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.
Irene @ {a swoonful of sugar}
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
Tieghan
Why have I not made my own potstickers yet?? These look incredible. MUST MAKE!
Valentina @Hortus
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)
originalapplejunkie
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!
Kathryn
I’d really like to attend a dumpling party…hint hint 😉
movita beaucoup
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…
Erika
Gurl.. you are just amazing! These photos are so beautiful! I need a lesson in dumpling making.. 🙂
Lindsey
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
Jennifer from Milk and Honey
Really, really, really, really want these right now… Really.
Sophia
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!
Maggie | Omnivore's Cookbook
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!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
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!
Traci
Mmm, dumplings!
Skye
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
leahgreenbergdavis
Gorgeous pictures!! Those dumplings are so perfectly formed!!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
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 🙂
renee (will frolic for food)
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 😉
tworedbowls
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
renee (will frolic for food)
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!
Nik@ A Brown Table
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 🙂
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
Potstickers are some of my favorite things ever – you are such a BAMF for making them!
cakeoversteak
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 ….