How to Make Traditional Chinese New Year Jiaozi

Jiaozi, more commonly referred to as dumplings in English, are a traditional Chinese food that are eaten annually in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Many people who eat jiaozi believe they symbolize wealth and prosperity.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. dry sherry
• 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 green onion finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp. minced ginger
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cabbage
• 4 tbsp. water chestnuts

Instructions

Prepare the Dumpling Skins

1. Combine the flour, water and salt in a mixing bowl.

2. Use your hands to knead the dough until it is well mixed and smooth.

3. Place the dough on a wooden butcher block and cover with the mixing bowl.

4. Allow the dough to sit under the bowl for 20 to 30 minutes.

5. Break off pieces slightly larger than a marble. Use a floured rolling pin to roll out the pieces into circles that are 3 inches across.

6. Cover each side of the piece with a light coat of flour. Stack pieces on top of one another or on layered pieces of wax paper.

Prepare the Filling and Construct the Dumpling

1. Mix soy sauce, salt, dry sherry and white pepper with ground meat.

2. Salt the cabbage and then allow it to drain through a strainer for a few minutes.

3. Add cabbage and all other ingredients to the meat mixture. Stir your mixture well.

4. Wet the edge of a dumpling skin and then lay 1 tbsp. of the dumpling mixture in the center of the dumpling skin.

5. Fold one side of the dumpling skin over the mixture and onto the other side. You'll have a crescent shape. Seal the edges together by pinching them.

6. Repeat with the remainder of the dumpling skins.

7. Boil water in a large pot. Place the dumplings into the pot and wait until they float to the top of the water. Remove and allow dumplings to cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy dumpling skins at the store to save yourself time.