Here is a basic boiling water dumpling wrapper recipe as well as one for a simple pork filling. Add whatever herbs, change the meat, eliminate the meat and replace with tofu etc depending on what you like. My personal favourite were the tomato, onion and sesame seed dumplings I made as an afterthought. As far as folding them... make sure the wrapper is firm around the filling with no air pockets, go for whatever shape is easiest:)
Serves: 8-10
Boiling Water Dumpling Dough
4 cups plain flour
2 cups boiling water
Sift flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour in boiling water and mix with a wooden spoon until dough begins to form and the mixture is cool enough to handle. Knead on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and silky. Cover with cling wrap and place in fridge for 30 minutes. Roll out into long snakes and cut into small pieces (size of half a ping pong ball). Roll out the pieces (on a floured surface) into very thin circles and you're ready to go!
Simple Pork Dumpling filling
1kg pork mince
1 cup finely chopped and blanched wombok (chinese cabbage)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp finely grated ginger
1 tbs white vinegar
2 tbs corn flour
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp himalayan salt
1 tsp black pepper
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl for about 10 minutes so it sticks together well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Place a tsp of the filling into the centre of one of your dumpling wrappers. Fold into whatever shape you like, just make sure the edges are fully sealed. Repeat for the rest of your filling. Pour a little water (about an inch) in a saucepan and bring to boil. Cut small circles of baking paper to fit inside your bamboo steamer (otherwise the dumplings will stick and be a mess when you try to take them out). Steam each batch for 10 minutes. If you dont want to cook them at that moment, place them on a sheet of baking paper and place in the freezer. Once they are frozen you can take them out and place in a bag or container to store until you want them. If using frozen dumplings cook for 12-15 minutes. Enjoy! :)