How To Make Dumplings Using Whatever's In Your Kitchen

If you're unsure of how to make dumplings (or what to put in them), then you're in the right place! I'll be showing you how to make a dumpling filling using anything in your kitchen!

AD - I've teamed up with Ninja UK to help you make and cook dumplings from scratch! Using their Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 PossiblePan with ZEROSTICK, I'll show you how you can boil, pan-fry, and steam dumplings all in one pan!

The Filling

All you need to make dumplings are the dumpling wrappers (which you can buy from your local Asian supermarket), and 3 or 4 ingredients from your fridge or pantry.

I would recommend always adding in garlic and/or onion. Then, get yourself another one or two vegetables. For this recipe, I had some mushrooms and coriander. You could use carrot, potato, or any other ingredient you can find.

Once you've got your staple ingredients, blend them up in a food processor. I used my Ninja Food Processor which blended the ingredients into a perfect paste-like consistency.

You then want to add some flavour to your paste. For minimal effort and minimal taste, you can add in some salt and pepper to your mixture. However, I highly recommend adding in a variety of herbs and spices.

Here are a few combinations that you could give a go:

1. Soy sauce
2. Sesame oil
3. Oyster sauce

1. Paprika
2. Cumin
3. Mixed herbs

1. Turmeric
2. Cumin
3. Nutmeg

1. Oregano
2. Zest of a lemon
3. Some sort of cheese (e.g. parmesan or feta)

For this recipe, I used paprika, cumin, and mixed herbs for extra flavour. I also added a teaspoon of sugar, some salt, pepper, and olive oil to season the mixture. Mix all of your ingredients and set them aside.

Assembling The Dumpling

Get your dumpling wrappers (I just buy them from my local Asian supermarket). Place a teaspoon of your filling into the centre of a wrapper and bring four corners up into the centre. Pinch each side together to make a kite-like shape. Then bring two corners and pinch them together to form binocular-looking dumplings.

How To Cook Your Dumplings

Using your Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 PossiblePan , you can either boil, pan-fry, or steam your dumplings.

To boil your dumplings, simply fill up your pan with water and place it on medium to high heat. Once the water is boiling, add in your dumplings and cook for 6 minutes. Remove the dumplings and set them aside.

To pan-fry your little parcels, place your pan on medium heat, drizzle with oil, and add in your dumplings. Fry for 4 minutes and then add 1cm of water. Place on your lid and leave to steam for 3 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for a further minute. Transfer your dumplings onto a plate and set them aside.

Last but not least, steaming. Pour an inch of water into the bottom of your Ninja Pan, add in your steamer, and then add in your dumplings. Gently put on your lid and leave to steam for 7 minutes. Remove your dumplings and set them aside.

If You Are A Fan Of Dumplings, You Might Enjoy My Dumpling World Tour Series

I set myself a challenge to go around the world in 80 dumplings. Why? Because so many countries share a love for dumplings and every country’s dumplings have their own unique twist. From Varenyky in Ukraine to Banh Bot Loc in Vietnam, dumplings are a way for us to celebrate various cultures and culinary differences from all parts of the globe.

Not all my dumpling recipes are up on my website, yet! So, if you’d like to check them out, head on over to my Instagram for the video tutorial and full recipe!

More Delicious Recipes from my Dumpling World Tour