Dunc's Dumplings

A few weeks ago we visited our friends in Toronto. After the usual intervals of coffee, cheese, and other fine foods — it was time for dinner. Together, we assembled the ingredients, then followed along to learn how to make a good seal. Up next, a quick steam, and then — a fast fry in his favourite cast iron dish.

With a freshly made salad, breaming with oranges, cashews and edamame waiting at the table we all sat down and dipped freshly made dumplings in an array of sauces. Follow the recipe here to learn how you too can put your friends to work when they visit for dinner the next time.

Back at home, we prepared our own version and look forward to mixing up the mince, and creating new favourite dipping sauces.

Ingredients

1lb ground pork

1/2 cup frozen corn

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

pinch of fresh herbs, cilantro or basil

Dashes of hot sauce, worcestershire or any other of your favourites to taste

Salt and pepper

Asssembly

Prepare a small bowl of water and place won-ton wrappers off to the side. Hand mix all the ingredients in the bowl, When combined, prapre a wonton wrapper and place a small dollop of the meat mixture in the centre of the wrapper. Wet the wrapper on all 4 sides, and fold in half. Tuck in the top flaps to the bottom of the dumpling and secure with a little pinch. This last step is simple — not easy, and the perfect technique still evades me to this day.

Cooking

Heat a double boiler with a steaming basket ontop. On a separate stove-top element, heat olive oil in a cast iron or non-stick frying pan. When the water is boiling, place some of the prepared dumplings and cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the steamer basket, and carefully place in the frying pan with hot oil. Water and oil do not mix, for the sake of your new t-shirt and more importantly your eyes and skin — be careful.

Fry lightly on both sides, and repeat the steps until all the dumplings are cooked. Enjoy with a soup or salad on the side and make these little gems part of a delicious and complete meal.