Soup Dumplings

It looks like you’ve shared a description of Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) along with a partial ingredient list. Would you like me to provide a complete, step-by-step recipe for making these delicious dumplings at home?

Here’s what’s missing from your current list:

  • Gelatinous broth (aspic) – The key to the “soup” inside the dumplings.
  • Additional filling ingredients (ginger, scallions, sugar, etc.).
  • Folding and steaming instructions.

Complete Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) Recipe

Makes about 30 dumplings

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) warm water
  • ¼ tsp salt

For the Filling:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground pork (30% fat for juiciness)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp white pepper

For the Aspic (Broth Gelatin):

  • 2 cups (480ml) pork or chicken stock (high gelatin content)
  • 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin (or 1½ cups reduced collagen-rich broth, chilled)

Instructions:

1. Make the Aspic (1 day ahead):

  • Heat stock until warm, then dissolve gelatin in it. Pour into a container and refrigerate overnight until solid.
  • Before filling, chop the aspic into small cubes.

2. Prepare the Dough:

  • Mix flour, salt, and warm water until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth. Rest for 30 minutes.

3. Make the Filling:

  • Combine pork, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, ginger, scallions, sugar, and pepper. Mix vigorously until sticky.
  • Gently fold in cubed aspic (don’t overmix). Chill for 30 minutes.

4. Assemble the Dumplings:

  • Roll dough into a long rope, then cut into 30 pieces. Roll each into a 3-inch circle, edges thinner than the center.
  • Add 1 tbsp filling to each wrapper. Pleat edges into folds (18–22 pleats per dumpling), sealing tightly.

5. Steam:

  • Line a bamboo steamer with parchment or cabbage leaves. Arrange dumplings 1 inch apart (they expand!).
  • Steam over boiling water for 8–10 minutes until translucent and juicy.

6. Serve Immediately:

  • Enjoy with black vinegar and ginger shreds. Poke a small hole to release steam before biting!

Tips for Success:

Use high-fat pork for a juicier filling.
Freeze aspic cubes briefly before mixing to prevent melting.
Don’t over-steam, or the broth will evaporate.

Would you like a simplified version or tips on troubleshooting common issues (like torn wrappers)? 😊

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