Chile Crisp Dumplings Recipes

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.

DROWNED CHILI CRISP DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the Black Vinegar Sauce, whisk vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Add homemade chili crisp (about 1/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup crispy bits) and stir until well blended. Set aside until ready to serve.
• For the Dumplings, mix ground pork, green onion, garlic, sugar, wine, salt, white pepper and ginger until well blended. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of filling in center of each wonton wrapper. Brush edges lightly with water. Bring up sides of wrapper to enclose filling, forming a pouch. Pinch top together to seal. Place dumplings on large parchment-lined pan and cover with damp paper towels to keep moist until ready to cook.
• Fill large saucepan about halfway with water. Bring to boil. Add dumplings, working in batches. Boil 3 to 4 minutes or until cooked through. Remove with slotted spoon, draining well. Repeat with remaining dumplings.
• To serve, divide hot dumplings into 5 shallow serving bowls. Stir Black Vinegar Sauce. Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of Sauce over dumplings in each bowl. Sprinkle with green onions to serve.
• Test Kitchen Tips:• Chinese Black Vinegar is made from fermented charred rice. Its flavor is similar to balsamic vinegar but not quite as sweet, and more pungent and umami-rich than white vinegar. Also called Zhenjiang vinegar, it may be found in the Asian aisle of some supermarkets, in Asian specialty markets or online. • Shaoxing wine is made from brown glutinous rice and red yeast, hence its amber color. It is a staple spirit in Chinese cooking, similar to Sake in Japanese dishes. Shaoxing wine may be found in the Asian aisle of some supermarkets, in Asian specialty markets or online.

CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Combine the oil, onion, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the chiles, sesame seeds and Sichuan peppercorns, if using, and sizzle, stirring, for 1 minute, then stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Spoon over everything. It adds big flavor to milder bases, such as eggs, tofu, noodles, rice, vegetables, white fish, lean pork and chicken breast.