Jiao Zi / 饺子/ 水饺 / Dumpling

Ingredients for Jiao Zi dough/ dumpling wrappers:
3 cups Plain Flour
1 cup Water
1/4 tsp Salt

Ingredients for the filling:
500gm Minced pork
1 tbsp Finely chopped Ginger
2 springs Chive/ Spring Onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp Light soya sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
2 tbsp Seasame oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 tbsp Cornflour

Method to prepare the dumpling wrappers:
1. Shift flour into a big bowl, add salt and mix well.
2. Slowly stir in the water, make sure add the water little by little until it form a smooth dough (until no flour lump will be sticking on the hand). Knead the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the dough which a dry cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

While the dough is resting, prepare the filling.

Method to prepare the filling:
1. Add the spring onion, ginger, soy sauce, salt, rice wine, pepper and corn flour to the meat and mix well.

Method to make Jiao Zi:
1. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball, then roll it into a long sausage shape. Divide the dough into small pieces. Roll and flatten each piece out into a circle about 2.5 inches in diameter wrapper.

2. Place a small portion (about 1 heaped tsp) of the filling into the middle of each wrapper. Wet the edges of the dumpling with water. Fold the dough over the filling into a half moon shape and pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the remainder of the dumplings.

3. To cook the dumpling (水饺):
I. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add in some salt and oil.
II. Put in the dumplings, gently stir it so they don't stick together.
III. Bring the water to a boil again, and add 1/2 cup of cold water.
IV. Cover and wait for the water to a boil for a third time, the dumplings are ready when it float.

V. Remove and drain the dumplings.
VI. Place it on to a plate, drizzle a few drops of sesame oil.

V. Serve with ginger, garlic & vinegar or chili sauce.

Tips:
1. You can make this in big quantity and freezer it (Lightly flour the container, before put in the dumpling)
2. When you want to eat:
I. DO NOT Thaw the dumpling, just put it into a pot of lightly salted & oiled Boiling water.
II. Boil it for 10-15mins, the dumpling is ready when it floats
III. Remove and drain the dumplings.
IV. Place it on to a plate, drizzle a few drops of sesame oil.

Dumplings should serve hot. 饺子/ 水饺

The dumplings can also be Fried (Guo Tie/锅贴).
1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan, add a single layer of dumplings and cook for 2 minutes, shaking the pan slightly to make sure they don't stick.
2. Add some corn flour water(corn flour mix with water), cover and steam for 2 minutes, then uncover and continue to cook until the water has evaporated. Repeat with the remaining dumplings.
3. Serve with ginger, garlic & vinegar or any dipping sauce.

Guo Tie/锅贴

Ginger, Garlic & Vinegar sauce:
Simply mix grated ginger, grated garlic with some black vinegar and light soy sauce.