Hot and Sour Dumplings

Hot and Sour Dumplings: A Quick and Flavorful Twist

Craving dumplings but looking for something a little more exciting? Hot and Sour Dumplings are the perfect solution! This recipe takes store-bought dumplings and transforms them into a vibrant dish with a spicy kick and tangy vinegar flavor. It’s ready in under 15 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• 20 store-bought dumplings (your favorite kind)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green onion, chopped (both white and green parts)
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tsp Korean red chili flakes (adjust for spice preference)
• 4 tbsp neutral oil (grapeseed or canola)
• 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 0.5 tsp chicken powder (optional)
• 1-1.5 cups hot water (from cooking the dumplings)

Cooking Guide:

1. Cook the dumplings: Prepare your dumplings according to package instructions. Boiling or pan-frying are both good options.
2. Make the sauce: While the dumplings cook, combine minced garlic, chopped green onion (white part only), sesame seeds, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Heat oil in a separate pan or wok until hot but not smoking. Carefully pour the hot oil over the dry ingredients in the bowl. This will sizzle and release the aromatics.
3. Assemble the dish: Add soy sauce, black vinegar, and chicken powder (if using) to the hot oil mixture. Stir to combine. In a serving bowl, add 1 cup of hot water from cooking the dumplings. Carefully add the cooked dumplings and top with the hot and sour sauce. Garnish with remaining chopped green onion (green parts). Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavor!

Tips:

• For extra heat, add a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns to the sauce along with the chili flakes.
• Don’t have black vinegar? You can substitute rice vinegar, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) to the sauce while it simmers.
• This recipe is easily adaptable. Add other vegetables like shredded carrots or mushrooms to the sauce for more texture.