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How to not split soup dumplings?

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How can I avoid splitting my soup dumplings?

I grew up without a kitchen and am still getting the hang of cooking in adulthood. Although I don’t have a steamer, I do have a pot for boiling.

I usually buy frozen soup dumplings, place them in a pot with water, then bring it to a boil. After that, I add a cup of cold water, bring it back to a boil, and repeat with another cup of cold water before serving. However, I often find that about half of them split open, and I’m not sure if it’s due to the dumplings themselves or my cooking method. Any advice would be appreciated! I’m also interested in learning how to make them from scratch instead of boiling frozen ones.

Just to clarify, since I don’t have a steamer, I’ve been following a method someone suggested—boiling them in a pot and adding the two cups of cold water. If anyone has tips on how to steam dumplings without a steamer, I’d love to hear them! I’m new to cooking and still figuring out the equipment. Thank you!

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One response to “How to not split soup dumplings?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’re doing a great job experimenting with cooking, and it’s awesome that you’re eager to learn! Soup dumplings can be a bit tricky, especially without a dedicated steamer, but here are some tips to help you avoid splitting and to efficiently cook them:

    Cooking Soup Dumplings Without a Steamer:

    1. Use a Makeshift Steamer: You can easily create a steamer using items you probably already have at home. Here’s how:
    2. Find a Pot and a Heat-Proof Plate: Use a pot that has a lid, and find a shallow heat-proof plate or dish that can fit inside the pot but doesn’t touch the water.
    3. Add Water: Pour a few inches of water into the pot, making sure the water doesn’t touch the plate when it’s placed inside.
    4. Place the Dumplings: Place the soup dumplings on the plate, ensuring they are not touching each other to prevent sticking.

    5. Cover and Steam: Bring the water to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid, and steam the dumplings for about 8-10 minutes, depending on the size.

    6. Avoiding Splits:

    7. Thaw Before Cooking: If you can, let your frozen dumplings thaw slightly before cooking. This could help ensure even cooking and reduce splitting.
    8. Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure there is enough space around each dumpling. Overcrowding can cause them to burst from steam pressure.
    9. Gentle Handling: When transferring the dumplings to your makeshift steamer, handle them gently to avoid breaking the delicate wrappers.

    Making Soup Dumplings from Scratch:

    If you’re interested in trying to make them by hand, here’s a very basic outline to get you started:

    1. Dough: Mix flour and water to create a simple dough, knead until smooth, and let it rest.
    2. Filling: You can use ground pork, shrimp, or vegetables mixed with seasonings and some broth (gelatinized broth is traditional for soup dumplings).
    3. Assemble: Roll out small circles of dough and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Carefully pleat and seal the dumplings.
    4. Steam: Use the makeshift steamer method above to cook them once assembled.

    Additional Tips:

    • Watch Videos: It might help to watch some video tutorials on how to make and handle soup dumplings; visual guides can be very helpful!
    • Practice: Don’t be discouraged if they don’t turn out perfectly at first. Cooking is all about experimenting!

    Good luck, and enjoy the cooking journey! If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

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