Savory Pork, Shiitake & Napa Cabbage Dumplings

1. Rehydrate the Mushrooms

Place the 10 dried shiitake mushrooms in a bowl and pour 2 cups of hot water over them. Let them soak for at least 2 hours, or even overnight if you have time.

2. Prepare the Napa Cabbage

Finely chop the napa cabbage and place it in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt over the cabbage and mix it well. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, squeeze the cabbage to remove as much water as possible.

3. Cook the Mushrooms

Squeeze out the excess water from the rehydrated mushrooms and chop them finely. Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook them for about 5 minutes until they are softened and slightly crisp.

4. Prepare the Pork Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, minced fresh ginger, sugar, toasted sesame oil, and white pepper powder. Add ½ cup of the reserved mushroom-soaking water to the mixture. Mix everything thoroughly until you have a smooth and cohesive paste.

5. Combine Ingredients for Filling

Now, combine the squeezed dry napa cabbage and the cooked mushrooms with the pork mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed, ensuring there are no lumps.

6. Assemble the Dumplings

To assemble the dumplings, take a dumpling wrapper and place a small bowl of water nearby. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of filling into the center of each wrapper. Dip your finger in the water and moisten the edge of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges tightly to seal. Place the assembled dumplings on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

7. Cook the Dumplings

Cooking the dumplings can be done in a few different ways: you can boil them in a large pot of water until they float and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, steam them in a steamer basket for about 10 minutes, or pan-fry them in a bit of oil until they are golden brown and then add a splash of water, cover, and steam for a few minutes until cooked through.

8. Serve

Serve the dumplings immediately with Ultimate Chili Oil and/or Ultimate Dipping Sauce for dipping.