Celebratory pork and prawn dumplings

A platter of delicious dumplings to bring out at a party – a real crowd pleaser that can be prepared in advance and cooked from frozen. To make this recipe you’ll need a bamboo steamer.

Ingredients

• 5g/⅛oz dried wood ear mushrooms
• 10g/⅓oz dried shitake mushrooms
• 3 spring onions
• 8cm/3¼in piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 400g/14oz 20% fat pork mince
• 150g/5½oz raw prawns, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
• ½ tbsp sugar
• 20–24 wonton wrappers

To serve

• soy sauce
• chilli oil
• 1 red chilli, finely sliced

Method

1. To make the filling, put the dried mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover with cling film and leave to re-hydrate for 20 minutes. Once the mushrooms are soft, drain, pat dry with kitchen paper then finely chop and place in a large bowl.

2. Finely slice one of the spring onions into matchsticks and add to a bowl of ice water and set aside (they will curl up and be used later for garnish).

3. Finely chop the other two spring onions and add to the bowl of chopped mushrooms along with the remaining dumpling ingredients (except the wonton wrappers). Mix well with your hands, ensuring everything is well combined.

4. To assemble, fill a little bowl with cold water and have it to hand, and line a tray with greaseproof paper. Cup your hand and place a wonton wrapper in it.

5. Wet your other hand slightly, take a walnut sized amount of filling and place in the centre of the wrapper. Dip your finger in the cold water and wet around the outer edge of the wrapper, then gently rotate so the pastry sticks and encases the filling, leaving the top open.

6. Gently flatten the top and bottom so the dumpling sits upright, then place on the lined tray. Repeat until you have used up all your filling.

7. Line a bamboo steamer with greaseproof paper, making a few air holes so the steam can get through. Place the dumplings in the steamer, leaving a little space between each one, then steam over a pan of boiling water for about 8 minutes. You may need to do this in batches depending on how many steamer baskets you have.

8. Once cooked, place the dumplings on a platter. Drizzle over some soy sauce and chilli oil, then scatter over the drained spring onion and finely sliced red chilli. Serve right away.

Celebratory pork and prawn dumplings