The last couple of months I've experienced something truly amazing. That is, if you're really passionate about something, if you dare to put yourself out there and share your passion with other people without asking for anything in return it aaaaall comes back to you.
How is that again?
Well, in the last months my path has been crossed by soooo many open and similar-minded people who I've come into contact with because of this similar interest for a Healthier Shanghai. As my starting point was me alone just sharing my ideas, experiences & beliefs, experiencing the existance of this Healthy-Shanghai society has such a magical feel to it. I feel so grateful for meeting and talking to new people everyday and it keeps me so motivated to explore, try, discuss, work, share & continously blog about Healthy Habits in Shanghai here on Shanghaihabits.
Shanghaihabits meets Fields China
Fields China has delivered groceries to people in Shanghai and China since 2009 and according to the company, Fields China is all about Freshness, Safety & Good Quality products. Place your order before 17 through their online shop or through their convenient shopping app and they promise same day delivery. Fields China aspire to help us eat & live Healthy in Shanghai and for this reason our paths have crossed.
This time to make dumplings - and not just any kind of dumplings! Fields gave me an opportunity to make a version I call "Traditional Dumplings Meets Shanghaihabits' Healthier Vegetarian Dumplings" (if you think of a shorter name, do let me know).
Here's our dumpling session in pictures and further down I've shared the recipe with instructions. Oh yes it is possible to make dumplings at home by yourself - I'm not exactly sure how well I would do without the Chinese Master Chef to my right but I will definitely give it a try one day and surprise my boyfriend with my own fresh-made, safer & healthier dumplings.
The vegetarian filling ready to use
Toppings
You can buy this traditional steamer base for only RMB 20 in Field's Online shop. Definitely giving my mom one of those for christmas!
Yum! Dip in chili & vinegar mix
Yuuuuuuuum! Eat up
My dumplings!
The Chinese Master Chef's perfect example
Vegetarian Filling
Ingredients
(4-5 persons 40-50 pcs)
100g Shiitake Mushrooms
100g Winter Bamboo
50g Green Beans
50g Carrots
100 g Black Mushrooms
10g potato starch
Directions
Boil the winter bamboo, cut all ingredients very fine and stir fry everything together . Add potato starch and let the filling cool down for example over night in the fridge
The traditional dumpling recipe is based on pork and shrimp meat but obviously I would not use or eat that. Luckily Fields were able to find this vegetarian recipe just for :-)
If you prefer meat I'll just share the recipe for that:
Mix 50 g of ground pork, 25 g of peeled shrimp, a dash of salt and sugar, a few chopped spring onions, a pinch of ginger and pepper powder and a good glug of sesame oil
Dumpling Wrappers
Ingredients
(4-5 persons 40-50 pcs)
300 g low gluten flour
20 g glutinous rice flour
20 g wheat starch
Approx. 200 ml warm water
For dumplings you need to make a kind of dough from water and flour. For steamed dumplings use warm water, for boiled dumplings use cold water.
Directions
1. Combine the flour and water and mix into a dough. Cover it and let it set 5 minutes
2. Roll the dough into a long cylinder and cut individual pieces of around 2-3 cm in length.
3. Flatten each piece with your hand.
4. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into individual pieces of around 9 cm in size.
"Bao Jaozi" - Putting the dumplings together
Directions
1. Place a dumpling wrapper in your hand so that you’re forming a bowl shape.
2. Place a spoonful of the filling in the middle, don't overfill it!
3. You can make different patterns when you fold your dumpling but the simplest way is to fold the wrapper over the filling to make a half moon shape, pinching the sides. This works whether you’re steaming or boiling your dumplings. You can also experiement with folding them in other ways - I've already forgotten the Tips & Tricks from the Chinese Master Chef but if you manage to fold them in specific ways you can add colorful toppings (peas, fine cut egg, red capsicum, mushroom) in the "holes" (check my pictures). Just make sure your dumplings are sealed so you don't loose your filling during the steaming or boiling process.
4. Steam the dumplings over boiling water for 15 minutes. If you’re boiling them, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add your dumplings (if you are making many make sure not to boil them all at once but give them some space) and stir so they don't stick together. When the water boils again add ½ cup of cold water and stir again. When the dumplings boil for the third time, they are ready.
6. Drain and serve.
You can buy a traditional Steamer Base for only RMB 20 at Fields online store
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