Mastering the Art of Har Gow Dumplings
Har Gow dumplings, a staple of Cantonese cuisine, may seem intimidating to prepare, but with the right technique and ingredients, they can be surprisingly easy to make. To ensure success, start by preparing the Har Gow Dumpling Dough and Chile Garlic Sauce in advance.
The Perfect Filling
To create the filling, begin by tossing 9 ounces of raw medium shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Rinse the shrimp under cold water, drain, and blot dry with paper towels. Then, halve the shrimp lengthwise and chop them into approximately 1/8-inch pieces.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with 1 1/2 tablespoons of minced fatty bacon, 3 tablespoons of finely chopped bamboo shoots, and 2 teaspoons of minced scallions (white parts only). Stir to combine.
In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 3/4 teaspoon of granulated sugar, a pinch of white pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons of Chinese rice wine or dry sherry, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved, then pour the mixture into the shrimp mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is well coated.
Assembling the Dumplings
To assemble the dumplings, work with a quarter of the dumpling dough at a time. Roll the dough into a log about 8 inches long and cut it into 8 equal lengths. Roll each piece out into a thin circle, approximately 3 to 3 1/4 inches in diameter. You can also use a tortilla press lined with plastic wrap to form the circles.
Set up a steamer, such as a 2-level Chinese bamboo steamer, and line it with parchment paper circles cut slightly smaller than the steamer’s diameter. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of filling into the center of a wrapper. To form the dumplings, fold the wrapper over into a half-moon shape, empanada style, and pinch the edges to seal.
Steaming to Perfection
Space the dumplings about 1/2 inch apart in the steamer. Steam until the wrappers are translucent and shiny, and the filling is cooked, about 6 minutes. Transfer the dumplings to a warmed platter or individual plates and serve immediately with soy sauce and Chile Garlic Sauce for dipping.
With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying delicious Har Gow dumplings in no time!
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