Thermomix Dumplings

This Thermomix Dumplings recipe is a Thermomix adaptation of a traditional Chinese dumpling recipe, loved by generations of families.

This recipe is an adaptation of my Traditional Chinese Dumplings recipe, one of the most popular recipes on this website.

I learned how to make the original Chinese pork dumplings while I was living in Hong Kong. A group of Chinese moms at my kids' school kindly held a workshop to teach us their traditional jiaozi recipe and techniques.

Since then, we often make these dumplings at home. My kids absolutely love them and they also enjoy getting involved with making them.

I spent years making them the traditional way, but recently have adapted it to allow the Thermomix to do some of the hard work.

Now, I'm not going to lie. Making dumplings is a true labour of love. It's not a quick fix meal.

Even when the Thermomix does a lot of the hard work for you with the preparation, rolling out the wrappers and making the dumplings still takes time.

You could skip making the wrappers and buy them, but I urge you to make your own, at least once. You won't regret it. Homemade dumpling wrappers are a game-changer.

So, set aside a couple of hours, get your family involved, start up a production line and let's get dumpling making!

Ingredients

A full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to make Thermomix Dumplings

There are four steps to making these dumplings. Full step-by-step instructions with exact timings can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

As I said above, it's a labour of love and you should set aside a good 2-3 hours to make them.

• Step 1: Make the dumpling filling
• Step 2: Make the dumpling wrappers
• Step 3: Assemble the dumplings
• Step 4: Cook the dumplings

Step 1: Make the dumpling filling

Firstly, we make the pork filling and then set it aside to marinade for 1-2 hours to allow the flavours to develop.

Start by roughly chopping the spring onions and ginger, adding them to the Thermomix bowl and chopping them finely.

Next we add all the other filling ingredients, except the cabbage and mix it together. To do this we start by mixing and then use the Dough function to ensure it mixes well.

This mixture now gets set aside for 1-2 hours.

30 minutes before you are ready to make the dumplings, prepare the cabbage. To do this, roughly chop the cabbage, add it to the bowl with the salt and chop (You will need to do this in two lots as the cabbage leaves will be too big for the bowl).

Once it is chopped, set it aside in the simmering basket to drain for 30 minutes. Make sure you place the simmering basket over a bowl or in the sink as a fair bit of liquid will be released from the cabbage.

Once the 30 minutes are up, use your hands to squeeze any remaining excess liquid from the cabbage.

Then add the squeezed cabbage to the Thermomix bowl, together with the pork mixture and mix it together to combine.

Now the dumpling filling is ready.

Step 2: Make the dumpling wrappers

Making the dumpling wrappers is the most time-consuming part of this recipe but I really urge you to try making your own rather than buying pre-made ones.

To make the dumpling dough, all you need to do is add the flour and water to the Thermomix bowl, mix and then use the Dough function to knead it all together.

Next, turn it out onto a floured surface and bring it together with your hands. Now divide the mixture into two and shape each half into a 12-inch-long (30cm) roll.

Now take a sharp knife and cut it up into 24 x ½ inch slices.

Shape each piece into a ball and then press it flat on your surface with the heel of your hand.

Now it's time to roll out the dough to make the wrappers. Use your non-dominant hand to turn the dough while you use your dominant hand to roll it back and forth with the rolling pin. (Roll, turn, roll, turn)

Position the end of the rolling pin in the centre of the circle as you roll.

This ensures the centre of the wrapper is slightly thicker than the edges. Don't worry too much about making perfect circles, you will be folding them up anyway.

Step 3: Assemble the dumplings

Now you have both the filling and the wrappers ready, it's time to make your dumplings.

Take a wrapper and place it in the palm of your hand. Next take a tablespoon of filling and place it in the middle of the wrapper.

You want your dumpling to be full, but not so full that it oozes out when you fold it. With a little bit of practice you will know what is the right amount.

Next, fold the wrapper over and pinch the edges together to seal it. Now place the dumpling on a tray with the pinched edges facing up and pinch a few pleats in the dumpling to create a pouch.

Remember, they don't have to look perfect! My kids make ours and I promise you they don't look perfect, but they still taste amazing!

Step 4: Cook the dumplings

Cooking the dumplings with the Thermomix is super easy - you just need to steam them in the Varoma tray.

Place as many as you like in the Varoma tray. Add at least 750g water to the bowl, place the Varoma tray on top and set it to 20 minutes / Varoma / speed 1.

If you have a TM7, you will need to use the Steaming function / 20 minutes.

Chinese Dumpling Sauce

To serve these dumplings, I make up an easy dumpling sauce to dip them in.

To make a homemade dumpling sauce, just mix together the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Chinese vinegar (black vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce or chili oil

You could also add some shredded fresh ginger to the oil.

Can you freeze dumplings?

Yes you can! This recipe makes 48 dumplings, so it is ideal for batch making and freezing some for later.

To freeze dumplings, place them on a tray lined with baking paper and place the tray in the freezer.

Once the dumplings are frozen, transfer to an airtight freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to two months.

To cook them, there is no need to defrost, just cook them from frozen as above.