Learn how to make homemade dumplings and sweet and sour shrimp, two classic Chinese dishes, to celebrate Chinese New Year, the most important traditional festival in China. The recipe includes a list of ingredients and instructions to follow, but making the dishes may seem daunting at first. However, with practice, one can become a pro. Serve these dishes to family and friends while welcoming in the new year.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Homemade Dumplings and Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. Families gather together to celebrate and eat a delicious feast. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making homemade dumplings and sweet and sour shrimp, two classic Chinese dishes that are sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients:

For the Dumplings:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup finely chopped napa cabbage
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package of dumpling wrappers
• 1 small bowl of water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Sweet and Sour Shrimp:

• 1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

For the Dumplings:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, napa cabbage, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, and salt.
2. Take one dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of pork mixture in the center.
3. Wet your finger and trace the edge of the wrapper with water.
4. Fold the wrapper in half and press the edges together to seal the dumpling.
5. You can also pleat the edges of the dumpling to make it look fancier. Watch a YouTube video for a tutorial on how to pleat dumplings if you’re not sure how to do it.
6. Repeat until all the pork mixture has been used up.
7. In a large skillet, heat up 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
8. Place the dumplings in the skillet and let them fry for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
9. Add a small bowl of water to the skillet and immediately cover the skillet with a lid.
10. Let the dumplings steam for 5-6 minutes or until the filling is cooked through.
11. Remove the lid and continue to cook the dumplings until all the water has evaporated and the bottoms are crispy again.
12. Serve the dumplings hot with soy sauce and chili oil for dipping.

For the Sweet and Sour Shrimp:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
3. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
4. In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, add the onions and bell peppers and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
7. Add the ketchup mixture to the skillet and stir to combine.
8. Bring the sauce to a boil and let it thicken for 2-3 minutes.
9. Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
10. Serve the sweet and sour shrimp hot over rice or noodles.

Conclusion:

There you have it, two classic Chinese dishes to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Making homemade dumplings and sweet and sour shrimp may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time. These dishes are perfect for sharing with family and friends as you welcome in the new year. Happy Chinese New Year!