If you have made Asian dumplings using purchased wrappers, how about trying out making your wrappers from scratch? Freshly made Asian dumpling wrappers are (1) easier to fold and shape, (2) do not require water to seal as they are super soft and moist, (3) taste a lot better than store bought ones, and (4) do not involve a special trip to an Asian market. The ingredients are at your fingertips: all-purpose flour and water. Once you have rolled your own, you’ll be on your way to making perfect pot stickers, mandu, momos, Shanghai soup dumplings (xiao
long bao), baked and steamed bao, and deep-fried curry puffs.
I can’t physically/personally teach you how to do make your own wrappers, but I think you’ll gain lots of pointers between this video and the detailed instructions on page 24 and 25 of Asian Dumplings. See page 22 of Asian Dumplings for the basic dumpling dough recipe.
To encourage cooks to try rolling out their own fresh dumpling wrappers, I posted a YouTube video tutorial last May. But I’m my worse critic, and soon after I uploaded the video, I felt like it had room for improvement. I wanted to lead cooks from beginning to the end of how to form the wrappers. A few days ago, my husband and I spent a rainy afternoon making this more detailed how-to video. You’ll see me in my home kitchen and my hands do most of the ‘talking.’
I can’t physically/personally teach you how to do make your own wrappers, but I think you’ll gain lots of pointers between this video and the detailed instructions on page 24 and 25 of Asian Dumplings. See page 22 of Asian Dumplings for the basic dumpling dough recipe.
Related information:
What if you don’t have a tortilla press like I do? Substitute some kind of heavy flat bottomed object, such as a 4-cup glass measuring cup, saucepan, or skillet.
Helpful how-to links:
- Do-it-yourself Asian rolling pin: it is simple and cheap to make a bunch for a dumpling party!
- Basic dumpling shapes: Half Moon, Pea Pod and Big Hug (video)
- Advanced dumpling shapes: Pleated Crescent (video)
- How to Shape a Rope Edge (video)
When I first came to this country, I actually learned about Asian dumpling wrappers from a Taiwanese lady before I knew about the factory made wrappers (Yes, it was decades ago). She could roll out dumpling skins very fast. I suppose practice makes perfect.
BTW, did you see the Vietnamese in Prague segment in Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation?
Posted by: Tuty | 02/03/2010 at 10:38 AM
Excellent video! I made your dough recipe the other day and it was sooo much better than the one I was using before for wrappers. So much easier to handle the dough! I'll never go back!
Next adventure will be bao!
Posted by: Sage | 02/04/2010 at 04:29 PM
Sage -- Thanks for reporting back on your experience. You totally made my day!
Tuty -- Last year I had some pictures sent to me of Viet markets in Prague. It's really cool. Thanks for letting me know that Bourdain did that.
Posted by: Andrea Nguyen | 02/05/2010 at 09:50 AM
Very much enjoy your website and your book. I haven't yet found the moment to do the wrapper from scratch but the time is coming! Many thanks for your excellent instructions. You are a very clear teacher.
Posted by: Audrey | 03/12/2010 at 01:35 PM