Master Mouthwatering Dumplings with these Recipes from Wild Ink

Lunar New Year festivities open the month of February and in celebrating the holiday, dumplings are a must. In fact, they're one of the most important courses, symbolizing good luck and wealth. Revelers believe the more dumplings you eat, the wealthier you will become that year. In the spirit of the holiday, The Related Life reached out to Peter Jin, the exceptionally talented Executive Chef at Wild Ink, for savory recipes so you can enjoy dumplings at home.

Wild Ink, an acclaimed Asian Fusion restaurant within Hudson Yards, serves authentic American-Asian food and innovative cocktails in a breathtakingly beautiful space designed by the award-winning Robert Angell. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, Wild Ink is must-try dining experience.

Jin recently led an Atlas Club event at Abington House, where he demonstrated the art of dumpling making. Residents enjoyed cocktails and received take-home dumpling kits. Keep reading for two of the recipes he cooked live!

Executive Chef Jin at the helm.

 

For Siu Mai, you'll need:

  • ○ 2 pounds shrimp, shell off, peel and divided;
  • ○ 1 pound ground pork;
  • ○ one-quarter pound cooked bacon, chopped;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon salt, kosher;
  • ○ 2 teaspoons white sugar;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon white pepper powder;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon ginger, chopped fine;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon chopped chili;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon soy sauce;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (Kwang tung mi jui, or similar brand);
  • ○ 1 tablespoon sesame oil;
  • ○ 3 tablespoon chopped scallions.

 

For Pork Wontons, you'll need:

  • ○ 4 pounds ground pork;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon salt, kosher;
  • ○ 2 teaspoons sugar, white;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon white pepper, ground;
  • ○ 4 tablespoons chopped scallions;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon chopped ginger;
  • ○ 1 teaspoon chopped red chili;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon oyster sauce;
  • ○ 2 teaspoons soy sauce;
  • ○ 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (Kwang tung mi jui, or similar brand);
  • ○ 1 tablespoon sesame oil;

 

Preparation Directions for the Siu Mai and the Pork Wontons:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix very well until incorporated. Take a little bit of the mixture and cook to check seasoning. Adjust where needed.
  2. Once the seasoning is to your liking, use the "slap" method – take the mixture into your hand and slap it back down into the bowl. Do this at least 10 times until the mixture comes together. This method helps create a bouncy texture when cooked and eaten. Once done, place in the fridge for about 30 minutes so that the seasoning melds together.
  3. Place about one ounce into your wrapper. You can use yellow dumpling wrappers; I recommend the Hong Kong Style from Twin Marquis brand.
  4. Steam for about 7 minutes until done.

 

We hope you enjoy these DIY dumpling recipes, courtesy of Wild Ink!

 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.