LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

BASICS

Dumplings 101

Satisfaction looks a lot like a bowl of freshly cooked Asian dumplings. Before you reach for the sad ones in the freezer aisle to satisfy that longing, check out our step- by-step guide to perfecting your own using pre-made dumpling wrappers.

BY CHRISTOPHER ST.ONGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAYA VISNYEI

I hate dumplings, said no-one ever! Witness the endless varieties eaten around the world as proof. Arguably the best ones come from Asia, where you could eat a different, better than-the-last one every day. Gyoza, har gow, mandu, momos—whatever the names, they’re equal parts labour of love and tasty filling. Store-bought dumpling wrappers make easy work of turning out a batch to suit your taste. Think of them as a blank canvas, a neutral delivery method for your favourite filling. We’ll show you how to fold and pleat them using an unorthodox but foolproof method, where adding the filling is the near-final step instead of the first one. And just in case your grocer doesn’t sell round wrappers, we’ll show you what to do if yours are square, then guide you while steaming, frying and pot-sticking your way to dumpling glory.

A reliably juicy and delicious pork filling is a must. We’ve got it sorted alongside a superb all-veggie filling, and a fancy shellfish one. Get your pals together and make all three! Find the recipes on page 238.

To try this colourful technique, see “Picture Perfect” on p. 202

FOOD STYLING BY CHRISTOPHER ST. ONGE; PROP STYLING BY ANDREA MCCRINDLE

FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2022 199