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Shrimp and Snap Pea Shumai

Shrimp and Snap Pea Shumai

April 05, 2017

A Snack on the Silk Road

 

During the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279), shumai, a type of Chinese dumpling, was a common offering in teahouses along the Silk Road. It was part of the multi-course meal that became known as dim sum.3 A concept similar to Spanish tapas, Chinese dim sum is a meal featuring small portions of diverse foods. If you’re a fan of dim sum or Chinese dumplings, add this recipe to your collection.

 

Shrimp and Snap Pea Shumai4

 

9 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and divided into two halves

1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced

18 round gyōza skins

Cooking spray

Napa (Chinese) cabbage or romaine lettuce leaves

 

Place first half of the shrimp in a mini food processor; pulse five times or until chopped. Add onions, ginger, oil, and salt; pulse two to three times or until almost ground. Spoon the mixture into a medium bowl. Finely chop remaining shrimp. Stir chopped shrimp and peas into ground shrimp mixture.

 

Work with one gyōza skin at a time (cover remaining skins to prevent drying out). Place the skin on a work surface, starchy side up. Moisten edge of skin with water. Spoon about 2-4 teaspoons shrimp mixture into center of each skin. Gather up and pleat edge of skin around filling, pressing to seal pleats; lightly squeeze skin to adhere to filling, leaving top of dumpling open. Place on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray. Cover with a damp towel or paper towels to prevent drying. Repeat procedure with remaining gyōza skins and filling.

 

Arrange nine dumplings, one inch apart, over cabbage or lettuce leaves in a steamer. Place steamer over a pot filled with water, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Steam the dumplings for about 8 minutes or until done. Discard the leaves.