Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)

Ingredients

• 50 Gyoza Wrappers
• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil (per batch of gyoza)
• 1/4 cup water (per batch of gyoza)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (per batch of gyoza)
• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 2 1/2 cups finely chopped cabbage
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 inch piece of ginger (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon sake
• 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoon rice vinegar

Instructions

1. 1

   In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the filling until well blended.

2. 2

   --- To Fill Dumplings ---

3. 3

   Start by putting a small amount of filling into the center of your wrapper. About 2 teaspoons is the amount that works for me.

4. 4

   Next dip your finger in water and wet the outside 1/4 inch of the wrapper all the way around.

5. 5

   While holding the wrapper, fold it in half over the filling. Then, starting at one edge, use your thumb and forefinger to make pleats about 1/4 inch apart.

6. 6

   Once you make one pleat, press down gently to seal the dough together, and move onto the next one. In the end you will have about 6 pleats from one end to the other.

7. 7

   Place the dumpling on a lined baking sheet, gently pressing down to flatten the bottom. This is what will get browned while you are cooking them.

8. 8

   --- To Cook Dumplings ---

9. 9

   Pour vegetable oil into a large non-stick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, arrange the dumplings in the pan. For a batch of gyoza, you can fit 8-12 dumplings in the pan, depending on the size.

10. 10

    Cook for about 3 minutes until the bottoms are starting to turn golden brown.

11. 11

    Pour water into the pan and cover to steam for 3-4 minutes, until the water is evaporated.

12. 12

    Drizzle the sesame oil around the pan and cook for an additional 3 minutes until the gyoza are golden brown and crispy on the bottom.

13. 13

    Remove from the pan and serve.

14. 14

    --- To Make Dipping Sauce ---

15. 15

    Mix together soy sauce and vinegar.