Chinese thermomix cookomix

Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes (steaming or boiling)
Total Time: 50 minutes
Intensity: Medium

Dumplings are a traditional Chinese food enjoyed across the world, and with your Thermomix, they’re easier to make than you might think. This recipe uses a flavorful filling with ground pork, cabbage, ginger, and garlic, wrapped in a soft dough. You can either steam, boil, or pan-fry them, depending on your preference.

Ingredients:

For the Dumpling Dough:

• 300g all-purpose flour

• 180g warm water

• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Filling:

• 250g ground pork (you can also use chicken or beef)

• 100g napa cabbage (or regular cabbage)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional for a little tang)

• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)

• 1 spring onion, chopped

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Dumpling Dough

1. Mix the Dough
   In the Thermomix bowl, add flour (300g), warm water (180g), and salt (1/2 tsp). Mix for 20 seconds on speed 6 until the dough begins to form.

2. Knead the Dough
   Knead the dough for 2 minutes on dough function (Interval) until smooth. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.

3. Rest the Dough
   Remove the dough from the bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rest for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Prepare the Dumpling Filling

4. Chop the Vegetables
   Place the cabbage (100g) into the Thermomix bowl and chop for 5 seconds on speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat until finely chopped.

5. Drain Excess Liquid
   Transfer the chopped cabbage into a clean tea towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out any excess moisture. This will prevent the filling from becoming too watery.

6. Make the Filling
   In the Thermomix bowl, add the ground pork (250g), garlic (2 cloves, minced), ginger (1 tablespoon, grated), soy sauce (1 tablespoon), sesame oil (1 tablespoon), rice vinegar (1 tsp, optional), white pepper (1/4 tsp), and spring onion (1, chopped). Mix for 15 seconds on speed 4. Scrape down the sides and mix again for 5 seconds on speed 4.

7. Combine Cabbage and Pork
   Add the squeezed cabbage to the Thermomix bowl and mix everything for 10 seconds on speed 3, or until fully combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Assemble the Dumplings

8. Divide the Dough
   After the dough has rested, divide it into small portions (about 20-25 pieces). Roll each piece into a small ball and then flatten it with your palms to form a small circle.

9. Fill the Dumplings
   Place a small spoonful of the pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, then pinch the edges together to seal. You can pleat the edges for a more traditional look or just press them flat. Repeat for the remaining dumplings.

Step 4: Cook the Dumplings

There are several ways to cook your dumplings. Here are two options:

Option 1: Steaming

10. Steam the Dumplings
    Fill the Varoma tray with the prepared dumplings, making sure they aren’t touching each other. Add 500g of water to the Thermomix bowl, place the Varoma on top, and steam the dumplings for 15-20 minutes on Varoma temperature, speed 2, or until cooked through.

Option 2: Boiling

10. Boil the Dumplings
    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dumplings and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until they float to the top. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom.

Option 3: Pan-Frying (Potstickers)

10. Pan-Fry the Dumplings
    Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Arrange the dumplings in the pan, flat side down. Fry for about 3-4 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Then, add 1/4 cup of water to the pan and cover it with a lid to steam the dumplings for another 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Serve

11. Serve the Dumplings
    Once your dumplings are cooked, serve them with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce and rice vinegar. You can also add a splash of sesame oil for extra flavor.

Tips for Perfect Dumplings:

• Dough Tips: If the dough feels too dry, add a small amount of water, one teaspoon at a time, and knead it again. If it’s too wet, add more flour gradually.

• Filling Variations: You can also use beef, chicken, or shrimp instead of pork for different fillings. You can even make vegetarian dumplings with tofu and mushrooms.

• Storage: You can freeze uncooked dumplings by placing them on a baking tray in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a ziplock bag and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, steam or boil directly from frozen for about 15 minutes.

• Dipping Sauce: For the dipping sauce, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a dash of sesame oil. You can also add a bit of chili oil if you like it spicy.

Nutrition Information (Per Dumpling, based on 24 servings):

• Calories: 60 kcal

• Fat: 2g

• Saturated Fat: 0.5g

• Carbohydrates: 6g

• Sugars: 1g

• Protein: 4g

• Fiber: 0.5g

• Sodium: 100mg

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used. For more precise nutritional information, use a recipe calculator.

Final Thoughts:

These Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi) are a fantastic homemade treat made easy with your Thermomix. Whether steamed, boiled, or pan-fried, they are packed with flavor and make for a great snack, appetizer, or main dish. The Thermomix simplifies the process by allowing you to make the dough and filling quickly, and the cooking method is flexible to suit your preferences.

Enjoy these delicious dumplings with a dipping sauce, and share them with your loved ones for a cozy, homemade meal!