Steaming Dumplings: Slow Cooker Style

Cooking dumplings in a slow cooker is a convenient and tasty way to prepare this dish. It is possible to cook dumplings from frozen in a slow cooker, but it is important to ensure that they are cooked thoroughly. One way to cook dumplings in a slow cooker is to place them directly on top of a stew or soup, allowing them to absorb the flavours while cooking. Another method involves using a colander or strainer inside the slow cooker, creating a steamer effect. This method is particularly useful for cooking dumplings without a stew or soup base.

How to steam dumplings in a slow cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Firstly, you need to ensure you have the right equipment. Find a colander that fits inside your slow cooker. This could be a conventional colander, mesh strainer, or even a pliable silicone vegetable steamer. You want something dome-shaped with holes in it.

Next, fill your slow cooker with around 2 cups of water and turn it on high. You want the water to be simmering when you are ready to steam the dumplings.

Once the water is simmering, carefully place the colander inside the slow cooker, pushing it down until the water level is about half an inch from the dome.

Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough

There are many different dumpling dough recipes, but a simple one includes whisking together dry ingredients such as flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Then, cut in some butter until it forms small pea-sized bits in the dry mixture. Finally, add milk and mix well.

Step 3: Form the Dumplings

Take large, golf ball-sized spoonfuls of your dough and drop them onto the top of your stew or soup in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Steam the Dumplings

Seal the slow cooker with tinfoil and the lid. Allow the dumplings to steam for about 30-35 minutes.

Alternatively, if you are steaming store-bought or frozen dumplings, place them on the colander over the simmering water, ensuring the water level is low enough so as not to touch the dumplings. Place a lid on the slow cooker, allowing some steam to escape to release moisture. Steam for about 8 minutes.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Your dumplings are now ready to be enjoyed!

Tips for making dumplings in a slow cooker

• Prepare your slow cooker by filling it with around 2 cups of water and turning it on high. You can speed up the process by starting with boiling water and then adjusting the temperature to keep the water hot. This will ensure your water is simmering when it's time to steam the dumplings.
• Use a colander, a small conventional colander, or a mesh strainer that fits inside your slow cooker. You can also use a pliable silicone vegetable steamer. Place it inside the slow cooker, pushing it down until the water level is about half an inch from the dome.
• Prepare your dumpling dough by whisking together dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter or margarine until it forms small pea-sized bits in the dry mixture. Then, add milk and mix well. You can also add herbs like dried parsley or rosemary for extra flavour.
• Drop large, golf ball-sized spoonfuls of the dumpling dough onto the top of your stew or soup in the slow cooker. If using frozen dumplings, place them on a bed of vegetables or a small rack to prevent them from sitting directly in the liquid. This will help retain their shape while cooking evenly.
• Cover the slow cooker with tinfoil and the lid. Steam the dumplings for about 30 minutes. If using frozen dumplings, cook them on low heat for 4-6 hours, depending on their size and your slow cooker.
• For an extra crispy exterior, sear the dumplings in a heated pan with oil before adding them to the slow cooker. Alternatively, you can microwave frozen dumplings to thaw them before cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the slow cooker. If necessary, cook the dumplings in batches to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the filling for dumplings

Firstly, choose your main ingredients. Dumpling fillings can be meat-based, vegetarian, or vegan. For meat-based fillings, you can use minced pork, chicken, or beef. If you're making vegetarian dumplings, eggs and tofu are excellent sources of protein. You can also get creative and experiment with different types of fish or seafood, such as prawns, shrimp, or Spanish mackerels.

Once you've selected your main protein, it's time to add some vegetables. Chinese cabbage, Chinese chives, fennel leaves, carrots, and courgettes are all popular choices. Don't be afraid to mix and match vegetables to create unique flavour combinations. If you're using vegetables with high water content, like cabbage, it's a good idea to dry them before adding them to the filling. This can be done by salting and squeezing out the excess water, or by microwaving them for a few minutes.

To enhance the flavour of your dumpling filling, consider adding some fat content. This could be in the form of animal fat or cooking oil. You can heat up the oil and pour it over chopped spring onions and ginger for an extra flavour boost. Another secret to juicy dumplings is to "beat" liquid into the filling. This can be done by gradually adding water, stock, or the liquid from soaked mushrooms to the meat while constantly swirling it in one direction.

If you're making meat-based dumplings, you can also mix in meat aspic made from pork rind, beef tendon, or chicken to add moisture and flavour. For vegetarian dumplings, you can add scrambled eggs or vermicelli noodles to absorb moisture and provide texture.

When it comes to seasoning your dumpling filling, the options are endless. Salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground Sichuan pepper, Chinese five-spice powder, and white pepper are all commonly used. A dash of sesame oil can also enhance the flavour. Finely chopped spring onions and minced ginger are often added, especially to meat-based fillings. Don't forget to do a taste test before wrapping your dumplings—that way, you can adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Finally, remember that it's important to assemble and cook your dumplings soon after preparing the filling. This will ensure that the moisture from the filling doesn't make the wrappers wet and fragile.

Forming the dumplings

There are a few different ways to form dumplings, depending on the type of dumpling you are making and the ingredients you are using. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to form dumplings for steaming in a slow cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the dough

The first step is to prepare the dough for your dumplings. This usually involves mixing dry ingredients such as flour, baking powder, and salt, and then cutting in butter or margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also add fresh or dried herbs and spices to your dough for extra flavour. Then, add liquid (such as milk or water) to the mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Roll and cut the dough

Once your dough is ready, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to your desired thickness. If you want to make traditional round dumplings, use a cookie cutter or the top of a drinking glass to cut out circles from the dough. You can also experiment with different shapes, such as squares or triangles, if you prefer.

Step 3: Fill the dumplings (optional)

If you are making filled dumplings, you will need to prepare your filling of choice. This could be a meat or vegetable filling, or even a sweet dessert filling. Place a small amount of filling in the centre of each dough circle and then moisten the edges of the dough with water or egg. This will help to seal the dumplings closed.

Step 4: Form and seal the dumplings

To form the dumplings, bring the edges of the dough together and pinch them closed, ensuring that the dumpling is well-sealed. You can use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges of the dough, creating a decorative edge and ensuring that the filling stays inside. Repeat this process until you have formed all of your dumplings.

Step 5: Prepare the slow cooker

While you are forming your dumplings, you can also prepare your slow cooker. Fill the base of your slow cooker with water and turn it on high so that the water is simmering. You can also add a colander, steamer basket, or rack to the slow cooker to ensure that the dumplings don't sit directly in the water.

Step 6: Steam the dumplings

Once your dumplings are formed and the slow cooker is ready, carefully place the dumplings into the slow cooker, making sure they don't touch the water. You can place them directly on the rack or steamer basket, or you can put them in a single layer if you don't have a rack. Cover the slow cooker and allow the dumplings to steam for 20-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

And that's it! You can now enjoy your delicious, homemade steamed dumplings. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, flavours, and cooking times to find what works best for you.

Cooking times and temperatures for slow cooker dumplings

You can cook dumplings in a slow cooker or crockpot by steaming them. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of dumplings you are making and the specific slow cooker model you are using. Here is a general guide on cooking times and temperatures for slow cooker dumplings:

Preparing the Slow Cooker:

Firstly, find a colander that fits inside your slow cooker. You can use a pliable silicone vegetable steamer, a small conventional colander, or a mesh strainer. Any dome-shaped item with holes in it will work. Fill your slow cooker with about 2 cups of water and turn it on high while you prepare the dumplings. You want the water to be simmering when you are ready to steam them.

Dumpling Recipes:

There are various dumpling recipes you can try in your slow cooker. Here are some general guidelines for cooking times and temperatures:

• For golf ball-sized dough dumplings, seal your crockpot with tinfoil and the lid. Steam them for about 30 minutes.
• For smaller, store-bought pork dumplings, place them on the colander over simmering water and cover with a lid. These will take about eight minutes to cook.

Tips:

• If you want to speed up the process of heating the water, start with boiling water and then turn your slow cooker on to keep the water hot.
• To absorb excess moisture, place paper towels over the top of the cooker before placing the lid down.
• If you are making dough dumplings, whisk all the dry ingredients together first. Then, cut in the butter until it forms small pea-sized bits in the dry mixture. Finally, add the milk and mix well before dropping the dough onto your stew.

Frequently asked questions