Xiao Long Bao, also known as soup dumplings, are a delicious and popular Chinese dim sum dish. These dumplings are known for their delicate, thin skins and the flavorful soup that oozes out when you bite into them. Here’s a basic recipe to make Xiao Long Bao at home:
Contents
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup chicken or pork stock
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Wrappers:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup hot water
- Extra flour for dusting
Soup:
- 1 cup chicken or pork stock, chilled
Instructions:
Make the Wrappers:
- In a bowl, combine the hot water and flour. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth.
- Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
Make the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, stock, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, white pepper, green onions, ginger, and garlic.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Assemble the Dumplings:
- Roll the rested dough into a long cylinder and cut it into small, equally sized pieces (about 1-inch in diameter).
- Flatten each piece into a small circle with your palm and use a rolling pin to roll them into thin, round wrappers. Make sure the edges are thinner than the center.
- Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of each wrapper.
Fold the Dumplings:
- There are different ways to fold xiao long bao, but a common method is to create pleats along the edge of the wrapper. This helps seal the dumpling and create the characteristic “purse” shape.
Make the Soup:
- Carefully pour the chilled stock into a shallow container and freeze it until it turns into a gel.
- Place a small amount of the frozen stock in the center of each dumpling, on top of the filling.
Steam the Dumplings:
- Place the dumplings in a steamer lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Make sure they don’t touch each other.
- Steam for about 15-20 minutes until the skins become translucent, and the dumplings are cooked through.
Serve:
- Serve the xiao long bao hot, traditionally with a dipping sauce made from black vinegar, soy sauce, and thinly sliced ginger.
Enjoy your homemade xiao long bao! Remember that making these dumplings can take some practice to perfect the folding technique, so don’t be discouraged if your first batch isn’t perfect.
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