Dumplings
Two fillings, one big batch - makes about 200 dumplings all up, so freeze half of each mix for another Friday.
Serves: 8-10 (makes approximately 200 dumplings)
Prep time: 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes soak time
Cook time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
For pork and prawn
1kg pork mince
250g thawed frozen prawn meat, chunky chopped
225g water chestnuts, chopped
1 egg
1 tbsp cornflour
1/2 cup pickled Asian veg (radish or mustard greens), chopped
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander stem
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 spring onions, finely chopped
1 tbsp sesame oil
100 wonton wrappers
For chicken and corn
1kg chicken mince
300g tin creamed corn
1 tbsp cornflour
1 egg
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 spring onions, finely chopped
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
100 wonton wrappers
For dipping
vinegar, soy, garlic, chilli, sesame oil - mixed to taste (optional)
METHOD
Place the ingredients for each flavour into separate large bowls and mix until well combined.
Use a teaspoon to place a small mound of filling in the middle of each wonton wrapper.
Wet the edges and fold in half, squeezing out the excess air and pinching the edges closed.
To cook, either steam over boiling water for 15 minutes, simmer in chicken stock for 10 minutes, or make potstickers: place about 8 dumplings in a single layer in an oiled frying pan, add 1 cup of water, and cover. Simmer until the water has been absorbed and the bases begin to crisp up, about 15 minutes.
If cooking from frozen, add 5 minutes to each method.
HINTS
You can do fancy folds, but until your staff of minors are deft enough with their fingers, keeping it simple is the way to go.
Freeze half of each batch raw, uncooked, on a tray before transferring to a bag - this way you've got a second round ready to go straight from the freezer another night.
The potsticker method gives you the best of both worlds - a steamed top and a crisp, golden base - so it's worth the extra attention if you have a few minutes spare.
NUTRITION (per recipe total, serves 8-10 - guide only):
Energy: 43,000 kJ (10,280 cal)
Protein: 580 g
Fat: 350 g
Saturated fat: 115 g
Carbohydrate: 1030 g
Sugars: 50 g
Fibre: 40 g
Sodium: 12,500 mg
This nutrition information is a guide only and may vary depending on brands, exact quantities, and ingredient substitutions used.