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2.03.2011

Jiao Zi

We finally went and did it last night.  On our fourth Lunar New Year's Eve with children in the house, we tackled the art of making jiao zi.


And while you'll note that I said "tackled" and not "mastered" the art, I do have to say that they were easier than I suspected.  Don't know why I put off trying them so long. 

(Though I will cut myself some slack and say that CNY 2007 started less than 24 hours after we stepped off the plane at home with Kylie and CNY 2010 started 24 hours before we left to bring Darcy home.  I have no excuses for 2008 and 2009 though besides feeling intimidated at the whole idea of making dumplings).


Ian and I mixed up the filling and then handed the wrappers over to our kids.  Not sure if their expressions of disbelief that we were letting them play with raw meat or their voices excitedly chanting "jiao zi, jiao zi!" were cuter. 


While theirs weren't quite restaurant quality yet, they looked a while lot better than mine!


All in all it was a fun evening.  One that I'll say we're likely to turn into a tradition. 


After we put into practice two important things we learned about dumping making that is.  One, the recipe calls for "one pound ground pork, not too lean."  There's a reason for that.  I'll sum it up by asking, "ever make burgers for the grill out of 93% lean beef?"


And two.  Don't skip the step of moistening the edge of the dumpling wrapper with water before trying to seal it.  Otherwise you may end up with a pot full of floating meatballs and sinking wrappers.  Just sayin'...

15 comments:

Sennie said...

That's great!! We love dumplings. Do you have a recipe to share?

Kristi said...

We used this recipe ~ http://www.food.com/recipe/jiaozi-284280 ~ this time. While both Ian and I agreed that the filling needed a little tweaking, it was an easy recipe and a good first effort.

My kids just dipped theirs in 1 part rice wine vinegar, 2 parts soy sauce.
Ian and I used this sauce. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Asian-Dipping-Sauce/Detail.aspx
We both liked it a lot.

Sennie said...

Thank you so much!! I think we are going to have to try it - soon!

Ann Marie said...

A few months ago I was chatting with a Chinese woman from church. I told her that I had been praying to find a "Chinese Grandma" for my kids who can teach them to do things like make dumplings. She laughed and told me her kids don't know how to do this...she gets hers from Sam's Club.

So guess what I did...last Friday I went and bought some from Sam's. They were easy and the kids loved them. Drew in particular slerped alot down.

Not as much fun as making them...but if you're in a pinch...

Hugs.

Rachelle said...

I have yet to try these. You may have inspired me! :)

Nancy said...

Happy New Year!

Grandma Shultz said...

Kylie, Caleb and Darcy, you made dumplings just like Daniel was making in his picture. Looks like it was lots of fun to make and yummy to eat. Happy New Year, darlings.

Jordan Carl said...

Wow, those look great! I like the picture of you guys eating them with Darcy peeking in the bottom corner of the picture. Cute stuff. And her new glass without a doubt add some age to that girl. I like them!

Cindy M said...

Every year I say the same thing. And every year I procrastinate. TECHNICALLY, I have, like, two weeks to make up my mind, right?

Kathy said...

How cute - it looks like so much fun and the results are impressive!! I'm glad you were successful your first time out. Happy New Year M.. family.

Love, Grandma M

Traci said...

Yummy I love dumplings! How fun that they got to help make them.
PS our Asian market is pretty cool. The kids were so excited when they walked in.

heather said...

Looks like fun fun fun! The picture of D leaning around is so cute - what a sweet face. :) Just think my friend next CNY .. you will be cooking for SIX!!!!

Learning Together at Home said...

Kristi - I NEED some of those chopstick holders! No really, I do. I hate the plastic animal ones and the elastic band trick just, well, I guess i can't quite figure it out. :)
Shelley

P.S. And kudos to you for making jiazi two times in one week! I haev yet to pull it off. Next year?

Sandy said...

Our city in China is famous for its jiao zi! We love it and fortunately have friends who will make it for us. It's not that easy, is it!

Sennie said...

We finally made some today! Thanks for the inspiration :)