Chinese Dumplings are deliciously rich filling, soft and chewy flour based dough that are flattened using a rolling pin and are made into circles. The Small circles are filled with a filling that can either be meat or vegetables or a combination of both. Dumplings are usually served as a side dish, sometimes as the main course or an addition to soup for soup dumplings. When making and preparing Dumplings even frozen dumplings, the traditional method used in cooking is by steaming. However if you do not have a steamer, there are other way to steam dumpling without a steamer that will be discussed further in this post.
Steam Dumplings Without A Steamer
Most of time, the dumplings are steamed using a large bamboo baskets on top of a either a banana or cabbage leaves. The baskets are typically stacked on top of each other if there are many dumplings steam. You can always put more of the uncooked dumplings to the steamer basket. Then place steamer basket that is rub with oil or nonstick spray inside on top of a large pot that is filled with water and allowing the water to boil. The steam comes out from that boiling water of the pot.
Below are some of the easy ways on how to steam dumplings without a steamer.
First Method: Use of Aluminum Foil
A simple method to steam dumplings without a steamer is by using an Aluminum foil. Basically, to steam dumplings all you need to do make at least 3 equally medium sized to large balls out of aluminum foil and place foils balls on the pot.
Simple steps to use aluminum foil to steam dumplings without a bamboo steamer:
- Pour water on a pot or wok (half-full).
- Place aluminum foil balls to the pot.
- In here, the aluminum foil balls are used as a prop up plate. Make sure the plate does not come in contact with the water.
- Add a little sesame oil to the dish. For some, cabbage leaved is preferable. The purpose for this one is to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the dish.
- Place as many dumplings carefully on to the dish, making sure there is a space in between dumplings.
- Once pot is boiled. Cover pot with a lid then allow to steam dumplings for about 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy dumplings with your dipping sauce.
Second Method: Use Wire Rack
Another simple method that is quite similar to the method mentioned above is the use of Wire rack to prop up a plate. It is more or less similar to a metal rack that is elevated.
To steamed dumplings without a steamer using this method:
- Fill pot with water (a few inches above)
- Put Wire rack at the bottom of the pot.
- Place a dish or a ceramic plate on top of the wire rack. The water should not touch the plate or the dish.
- Put a little sesame oil , a parchment paper or cabbage leaves to the dish to prevent sticking of dumplings.
- Put Dumplings on top of the plate or dish.
- Allow pot to boil over medium heat, then put a lid on the pot.
- Allow to simmer Steam dumplings for about 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy dumplings with your dipping sauce.
Third Method: Use of Microwave
If you do not have a steamer, you can actually use the microwave to steaming dumplings. Make sure dumplings are placed in a microwave safe bowl or dish.
To steam using the microwave, you can add at least 1 or 2 tablespoons of water on the microwavable bowl or dish then place it inside the microwave. Make sure it is covered with a lid, to ensure steam stay in. Serve dumplings with your dipping sauce.
A ziplock bag can also be used to steam dumplings on a microwave, just make sure to sprinkle a little water on to the dumplings.
Fourth Method: Add Dumpling to noodles
Another easy method if do not have access to a steamer, another method that you can do to steaming dumplings is to allow it to steam while cooking noodles.
To do this, you can simply place instant noodles over the boiling pot. Place chopsticks over the pot. Then you can put dumplings on top of the chopsticks. Place a lid to cover the pot and allow dumplings to steam. Then serve dumplings with your favorite dipping sauce.
FAQs
In making dipping sauce, the ingredients that are commonly used and combined includes soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and sugar.
When Steaming dumplings at the comfort of home, make sure that the dumplings does not come in contact with the water.
Aside from steaming, dumplings can also be pan fried first and then still steamed afterward. It still gives the same delicious result of your dumplings.
Typically, dumplings are steamed in a work or steamer with boiling water. The place dumplings on the steamer basket. Make sure each dumpling is at least an inch apart. Once water is boiling, place the dumplings, cover the lid and then allow to steam over medium to high heat for about 8 to 10 minutes.
The simplest way to know if the dumplings are already steamed enough is to place a toothpick over a dumpling. If the toothpick comes out clean, then dumplings are now ready.
Conclusion:
There are different ways to steam dumplings without the use of a bamboo steamer and or a steamer, even with frozen dumplings. We hope that this guide has helped you make steam your dumplings even without using a steamer.