Chinese Pork Dumpling Soup
Author: 
Recipe Type: soup
Prep Time: 
Cook Time: 
Total Time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • For the dumplings:
  • 9 ounces ground pork
  • 1-inch piece gingerroot, peeled and finely grated
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • For the soup:
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 2 star anise
  • 2-inch piece gingerroot, peeled and roughly sliced
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 4 scallions, cut into thin batons
  • 3 cups shredded Chinese leaf lettuce
  • 1 large handful cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
  1. To make the dumplings, put all the dumpling ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well, using your hands to mash everything together. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed to guarantee maximum flavor. Cover and set aside 30 minutes to let the flavors develop, or overnight in the refrigerator if time allows.
  2. Meanwhile, pour the stock into a large saucepan and add the star anise, ginger and garlic. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Pull off a golf ball-size piece of the pork mixture and roll it into a smooth dumpling using the palms of your hands. Set aside and repeat until all of the pork mixture is used. You should get about 8 dumplings.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, carefully drop the dumplings into the saucepan with the spiced stock. Add the scallions, Chinese leaf lettuce, cilantro and soy sauce and gently mix everything together. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and simmer 8 to 10 minutes until the pork dumplings are cooked through and beautifully tender. You can cut one open to test.
  5. Serve immediately so the greens stay lovely and fresh.
Recipe by Culinary Thymes at https://www.culinarythymes.com/guest-post-john-gregory-smith-author-of-mighty-spice-cookbook/