A couple of weeks ago, we decided to introduce our Chinese friends to the western-style BBQ and picnic, which is quite uncommon in China. They had a fantastic time and wanted to share something special from their culture with us. So, they invited Jhonny, Rose, Colleen, and me to one of their homes to teach us how to make dumplings!
Eating dumplings is something we love, and we like to think we’re part dumpling ourselves. Learning how to make our favorite food in China sounded perfect.
How hard could making dumplings be? It seemed straightforward: take a circular piece of dough, dab a little water around the edge, fill it with a mix of pork, egg, mushrooms, celery, and spices, fold it in half, and then seal it by folding and pinching the edges.
While it sounded simple, it required a lot of skill. For our Chinese friends, it was effortless, but for us, it was a bit chaotic. Our dumpling wrappers were breaking, not folded correctly, overstuffed, and had holes in them. Our friends kept saying theirs were “piàoliang” (pretty or impressive) while ours were “bu hao” (not good), which was true!
After all the rolling, stuffing, folding, pinching, and dusting with flour, we ended up with trays full of dumplings ready to be boiled.
Not only did we have freshly made dumplings, but we also enjoyed a homemade tofu soup and a delicious lentil soup. We gathered around a circular table, chatting and feasting on our creations, pausing only to laugh at a poorly made dumpling that fell apart, most likely made by me or Nick.
Our friends really spoiled us, and eating the delicious, authentic food made from scratch was an unforgettable Chinese experience. I wonder what they’ll show us next!