Cantonese-Style Pork and Shrimp Dumplings

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/4 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 package round dumpling wrappers
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the pork, shrimp, scallions, soy sauce, five-spice powder, sesame oil, vegetable oil, and garlic. Mix until well combined.
2. Lay the dumpling wrappers on a clean, flat surface. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each wrapper. Use a pastry brush to moisten the edges of the wrapper with water.
3. Fold the wrapper over the filling to form a half-moon shape, pressing the edges together to seal. Place the dumplings on a lightly greased baking sheet.
4. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the dumplings and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip the dumplings over and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
5. Combine the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl. Add the mixture to the skillet and stir to thicken the sauce. Cook for 1 minute more.
6. Serve warm with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil.

Interesting Facts

• Dumplings are a popular dish in many parts of Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea.
• Dumplings can be either steamed, boiled, or fried.
• Chinese five-spice powder is a blend of five spices (cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns).