Chinese Potsticker Dumplings

Step 1

For the dough, place the flour into a large bowl and stir the hot water gradually into it, mixing all the time with a fork or chopsticks, until the water is incorporated. Add more water if the mixture seems dry.

Step 2

Tip the dough mixture onto a clean work surface and knead it with your hands, dusting the dough with a little flour if it's sticky. Continue kneading until it is smooth - this should take about eight minutes.

Step 3

Put the dough back in the bowl, cover it with a clean damp towel and let it rest for about 20 minutes.

Step 4

For the stuffing, while the dough is resting, combine the stuffing ingredients in a large bowl and mix them together thoroughly. Set aside.

Step 5

After the resting period, take the dough out of the bowl and knead it again for about five minutes, dusting with a little flour if it is sticky.

Step 6

Once the dough is smooth, shape it into a roll about 23cm/9in long and about 2.5cm/1in in diameter, using your hands.

Step 7

With a sharp knife, slice the roll into 16 equal-sized pieces (each piece is about 15g/½ oz). Using your hands, roll each of the dough pieces into a small ball and then, with a rolling pin, roll each ball into a small, round, flat, 'pancake' about 9cm/3½in in diameter.

Step 8

Arrange the round skins on a lightly floured tray and cover them with a damp kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out until you are ready to use them.

Step 9

Place about two teaspoons of filling in the centre of each 'pancake' and moisten the edges with water. Fold the dough in half and pinch together with your fingers.

Step 10

Pleat around the edge, pinching with your fingers to seal well. The dumpling should look like a small Cornish pasty with a flat base and rounded top.

Step 11

Transfer each finished dumpling to the floured tray and keep it covered until you have stuffed all the dumplings in this way.

Step 12

To cook, heat a large lidded frying pan (preferably a non-stick pan) until it is very hot. Add the groundnut oil and place the dumplings flat-side down into the pan.

Step 13

Reduce the heat and cook for about two minutes until they the dumplings are lightly browned. Add the water, cover the pan tightly and simmer gently for about 12 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Check the water half-way through and add more if necessary. Uncover the pan and continue to cook for a further two minutes.

Step 14

For the dipping sauce, combine all the dipping sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

Step 15

To serve, remove the dumplings from the pan with a large slotted spoon and serve with the dipping sauce.