Dim sum, also known as Chinese dumplings are usually prepared with wonton paper, a pastry made with wheat flour and eggs. You can prepare this pastry at home using gluten-free flour or you can use the rice paper used for the fresh Vietnamese rolls.
The secret of good dumplings is, above all, in its filling. Usually, prawns and chicken are mixed with fresh chilli, ginger, fish sauce, coriander and soy sauce, bringing all the flavours together.
For this recipe, you can also let your taste guide you choose the flavours you like. Don’t forget to take a look at the tips at the bottom of the recipe to learn the secrets of how to best handle rice paper.
If you love Asia-inspired recipe why not to try our tasty Thai Curry with lime and tofu or fried noodles with vegetables.
Ingredients
For 18 dumplings, prep time 20 minutes cooking time 10-15 minutes
- 9 sheets of rice paper
- 1 fresh spring onion
- Chilli pepper
- Pepper
- Zest of half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of coriander
- 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove of garlic
- 70g shiitake mushrooms or chanterelles
- 150g chicken fillets
- Oil
Method
1 – In a large bowl, combine fresh onion, chilli pepper, and the coriander previously washed and chopped. Add the ginger and grated lemon zest. Wash and cut the mushrooms into small dice and cook them with a drizzle of oil and chopped garlic.
2 – Cut the chicken fillets into small dice, add them with the mushrooms to the rest of the ingredients, and mix everything. If you want, you can blitz everything in the food processor to make the filling smoother as a paste.
3 – Cut the rice paper sheets in half, they are usually circular, but any type will do. Place a cloth napkin on a cutting board, pass the rice paper in cold water (no more than 1 or 2 seconds), arrange it on the napkin and place a small ball of filling in the centre. With wetted fingers, pinch the rice paper to close the dumplings. Arrange the ravioli on a plate lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled.
4 – Heat a lightly oiled non-stick or iron pan, arrange the dumplings for cooking, sprinkle a few drops of water and close the lid. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes over medium-low heat or until the chicken is well cooked. Serve with the prepared sauce by mixing hot water, fresh chilli to taste, honey and soy sauce.
Tips
- Rice paper dissolves in water, so it is important to pass it in water for only a few seconds. The paper may still feel stiff; let it rest for a minute, and then it will be perfect to handle. Ensure your fingertips are slightly wet but not oiled since the oil prevents the rice paper from joining together for closure.
- You can prepare the dumplings, freeze them and cook them whenever you want. The important thing will be to prep everything with the freshest ingredients, especially chicken.
