Indulge and prosper this Chinese New Year with decadent and deliciously fresh seafood dumplings. Shaped like the old Chinese Kingdom gold ingot, these dumplings are said to bring good luck and prosperity to those who enjoy them.
By Josephine Chan
Chinese Lunar New Year is an important Chinese festival celebrated by all Chinese around the world. Traditionally, this festival was celebrated to honour and respect our traditions, beliefs and ancestors.
Food is the cornerstone of this celebration. Part of the fun also is deciphering the meaning of dishes served around the table. Each dishes that is put on the table during Chinese New Year is steeped in Chinese tradition and contains deep meaning that brings hope, luck, prosperity and long live in the coming years. 
One of the celebratory dishes are dumplings (jiao zhi), due to their shape, which resembles a Chinese Kingdom ingot, said to bring prosperity. The saying that goes with jiao zhi is “gen shui jiao zhi”, or “ring out the old year and ring in the new.” Chinese believe that the more jiao zhi you eat, the more you’ll prosper.
For this Chinese New Year, I wish for world peace, good health and prosperity to all deserving mankind.
Recipe is adapted from Lee Anne Wong’s Dumplings All Day Wong
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Prosperity Seafood Dumplings
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Pescatarian, Omnivore
Description
These elegant dumplings are a delicious way to celebrate! The flavorful filling and delicate wrappers make them a true treat.
Ingredients
- 9 oz (250 g) fresh scallops
- 9 oz (250 g) fresh prawns
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) cabbage
- 6 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 stalk spring onion
- 1 tbsp Shoaxing rice wine
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp corn flour
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 40 round dumpling wrappers
- equal portion of rice vinegar
- sugar
- lots of ginger
Instructions
- Mix chopped scallops, prawns, cabbage, and mushrooms in a bowl.
- Whisk together rice wine, oyster sauce, soy sauce, corn flour, pepper, and sugar.
- Combine the scallop mixture and the sauce mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the dipping sauce at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Fill each wrapper with 2 teaspoons of filling.
- Wrap the dumplings: a) Spoon 2 tsp of filling to the center of the skin and spread into a disk; b) Wet the edge of the skin with a potato starch-water mixture; c) Fold the skin so the edges touch; d) Pinch the seams starting from the far end; e) Pleat along one side for 5-6 pleats; f) Place the pleated dumplings on a floured plate covered with a clean kitchen towel.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Gently place dumplings in the boiling water; bring back to a boil.
- Add 1/2 cup of cold water; bring back to a boil.
- Add another 1/2 cup of cold water; cook until dumplings float to the surface.
- Drain the dumplings.
- Place the dumplings on a large plate.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions and dipping sauce.
- Serve hot with additional dipping sauce.
Notes
- For optimal flavor, soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water for at least 30 minutes before chopping.
- To prevent sticking, dust your work surface and dumpling wrappers lightly with cornstarch instead of flour.
- Leftover cooked dumplings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated by steaming.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5-6 dumplings
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of seafood should I use for the dumpling filling?
You can use a mix of shrimp, scallops, and crab meat for the filling to achieve a rich and varied flavor.
How do I properly shape the dumplings like the gold ingots?
To shape the dumplings, place a small amount of filling in the center of the wrapper, fold it in half, and pinch the edges to seal, then gently curve the edges to mimic the ingot shape.
Can I use store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making my own?
Yes, using store-bought dumpling wrappers can save time; just ensure they are fresh and suitable for steaming or boiling.
