New Year Dumpling Delight

Asian-style dumplings make any meal a festive occasion. These are great for brunch, lunch or as an appetizer. The Sweet Chili-Garlic dipping sauce makes the recipe truly outstanding. Make extra filling and freeze it to have on hand when people request this tasty treat again. Recipe compliments of cookbook author Ying Chang Compestine.

Recipe Ingredients:

Sweet Chili-Garlic Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup MAGGI TASTE OF ASIA Cooking Soy Sauce
1/4 cup brewed green tea or rice vinegar
1 tablespoon MAGGI TASTE OF ASIA Sweet Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon MAGGI Seasoning Sauce
1 green onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons sesame oil

Dumplings:
1/2 pound lean ground pork or beef
2 tablespoons MAGGI Seasoning Sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4 large Napa cabbage leaves
4 fresh shiitake or oyster mushrooms (stems removed and finely chopped)
1 cup finely chopped leeks (white parts only)
1 tablespoon peeled, finely chopped fresh ginger
1 tablespoon cooking rice wine or cooking sherry
1 tablespoon MAGGI TASTE OF ASIA Sweet Chili Sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black or white pepper
40 round (gyoza) dumpling wrappers or square wonton wrappers
2 tablespoons light olive oil - divided use
1/2 cup water - divided use

Cooking Directions:

1. Sweet Chili-Garlic Dipping Sauce: Combine soy sauce, green tea, sweet chili sauce, seasoning sauce, green onion, garlic and oil in small bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
   
2. For Dumplings: Combine pork, seasoning sauce, lemon juice and sesame oil in large bowl; set aside.
   
3. Remove stems from cabbage leaves; discard stems. Finely chop cabbage leaves and mix into pork mixture. Stir mushrooms, leeks, ginger, rice wine, sweet chili sauce and pepper into pork mixture.
   
4. Place one dumpling wrapper on work surface. Lightly brush edges with cold water. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons pork mixture into center of wrapper; fold wrapper in half and pinch edges to seal. Place on floured plate. Repeat with remaining wrappers and pork mixture. Cover wrappers and finished dumplings with moist paper towels to prevent drying.
   
5. Combine 1 tablespoon light olive oil with 1/4 cup water in large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place half of the dumplings closely together in one layer in skillet; cover. Cook, without disturbing, for 5 to 6 minutes or until dumplings puff up and are slightly browned on the bottom. Repeat with remaining light olive oil, remaining water and dumplings.
6. Serve immediately with Sweet Chili-Garlic Dipping Sauce.

Makes 40 dumplings.

Cook's Tip: To make ahead: Make the filling ahead of time. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 dumpling): Calories: 60 Calories from Fat: 25 Total Fat: 2.5 g Saturated Fat: 0.5 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Sodium: 260 mg Carbohydrates: 6 g Dietary Fiber: 0 g Sugars: 1 g Protein: 2 g

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.