Steaming Chinese Dumplings: No Steamer, No Problem!

There are several ways to cook Chinese dumplings without a steamer. One option is to use a metal steamer basket, but be warned that dumplings tend to stick to metal, so it's best to spray the basket with non-stick cooking spray or line it with lettuce or cabbage leaves. Another option is to use a makeshift steaming rig made of aluminium foil and a dinner plate. Crumple up three pieces of aluminium foil into balls and place them in a pot with half an inch of water. Then, place a heat-safe ceramic plate with dumplings on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and steam for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a rice cooker, electric frying pan, or microwave to cook your dumplings.

Microwave dumplings for 2.5 minutes

If you're craving dumplings but don't have a steamer, you can still enjoy a delicious plate of dumplings cooked in the microwave in just 2.5 minutes! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve dumpling perfection:

Step 1: Prepare Your Dumplings

Start by preparing your dumplings. Ensure they are not frozen; if they are, let them thaw completely. You can use store-bought or homemade dumplings and even customise your fillings with minced pork, shrimp, or vegetables.

Step 2: Choose a Microwave-Safe Dish

Select a microwave-safe dish that is large enough to accommodate your dumplings without overcrowding. A glass or ceramic dish with a lid is ideal, but ensure it has a lid or can be covered to retain steam.

Step 3: Add Water

Place your dumplings on the dish, spacing them evenly. Add a small amount of water to the dish; this will create the steam needed to cook the dumplings. Be careful not to add too much water, as it may overflow when heated.

Step 4: Cover and Microwave

Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or use microwave-safe plastic wrap to cover it tightly, trapping the steam inside. If using plastic wrap, poke a few small holes to release excess steam.

Step 5: Microwave

Set your microwave to medium-high heat and cook your dumplings for 2.5 minutes. Check your dumplings after this time to ensure they are cooked to your liking. Dumplings should be hot all the way through with a slightly translucent wrapper.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, carefully remove the dumplings from the microwave using oven mitts or a kitchen towel, as the dish will be hot. Serve your steamed dumplings with your favourite dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, chili sauce, or vinegar. Enjoy the delicious flavours and impress your friends with your innovative cooking technique!

Remember, microwave wattage varies, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. It's always better to slightly undercook the dumplings and then add additional cooking time as needed. Happy microwaving and enjoy your dumpling feast!

Use a rice cooker

If you have a rice cooker, you can easily use it to cook Chinese dumplings. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, prepare your dumplings by combining the ground pork with the ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine in a large bowl using your hands. Then, place a heaped tablespoon of the filling in the centre of each dumpling skin. Next, dip your finger into the egg wash and trace it around the edge of the dumpling skin. Finally, create a crimp along the edge using the "fold and pinch" method.

Now that your dumplings are ready, it's time to set up your rice cooker. If you have a steam tray, you can place that inside the rice cooker. If not, you can place a bowl in the centre and fill the rest of the rice cooker with about an inch of water. Place your dumplings inside the rice cooker, either directly on the steam tray or on the plate inside the bowl.

Cover the rice cooker with its lid and turn it on. The cooking time will depend on the temperature of the water you're starting with. If you start with boiling water, it will take around 5 minutes. If you start with room-temperature water, it may take up to 10 minutes. You may need to experiment a bit to get the timing right.

Keep an eye on your dumplings and check on them occasionally to ensure they don't overcook. They should be ready in about 10 minutes, depending on the temperature of the water. Once they're cooked, carefully remove them from the rice cooker and serve them hot!

Pan-fry dumplings

Pan-frying is a great alternative to steaming dumplings, and you can achieve a crispy texture without needing a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Heat oil in a pan

Pour around 1 tablespoon of cooking oil into a pan and place it on your stove burner. Spread the oil around the pan evenly to ensure the dumplings don't stick.

Step 2: Fry the dumplings

Place the dumplings in the pan, ensuring they are spread out evenly and not overlapping. Allow the dumplings to fry for 1-2 minutes without moving them. You are aiming for a golden brown colour on the bottom of the dumplings.

Step 3: Add water to the pan

For fresh dumplings, add around 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan. If you are cooking frozen dumplings, add enough water to cover the lower third of the dumplings.

Step 4: Cover the pan and increase the heat

Place a lid on the pan and turn the heat up to medium-high. The water will begin to evaporate and create steam, cooking the dumplings.

Step 5: Steam the dumplings

Allow the dumplings to steam for 6-10 minutes. Fresh dumplings will take around 6 minutes, while frozen dumplings will need closer to 10 minutes. You can check if the dumplings are cooked by cutting one open and checking the filling is hot.

Step 6: Remove the lid and continue frying

Once the dumplings are cooked, remove the lid and continue frying the dumplings. This will make the wrappers extra crispy. Fry until the water has completely evaporated, then serve.

Use a vegetable steamer

If you don't have a bamboo steamer, you can use a vegetable steamer to cook your Chinese dumplings. Here's what you need to do:

Firstly, get a pot or wok and fill it with a few inches of water. Make sure you have enough water to last the cooking time without boiling dry, but not so much that it touches the plate you'll be placing inside the pot. Place your vegetable steamer inside the pot, ensuring it sits above the water level.

Before adding your dumplings, prepare the plate by brushing it with a thin layer of oil, or lining it with parchment paper or leafy vegetables like cabbage. This will prevent your dumplings from sticking to the plate. You can also use lettuce leaves for this purpose.

Now, carefully place your dumplings on the plate, leaving some space between them so they don't stick together. Once your dumplings are on the plate, place the plate on top of the vegetable steamer inside the pot.

Cover the pot with a lid and let the water come to a rolling boil. Then, let the dumplings steam for about 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

When your dumplings are done, carefully remove the plate from the pot, as it will be hot. Enjoy your freshly cooked Chinese dumplings!

Boil dumplings

If you don't have a bamboo steamer, there are several ways to cook dumplings by boiling them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Using a Metal Steamer Basket:

• Use a metal steamer basket and place it inside a pot or wok. Ensure the water level is below the basket.
• Spray the steamer basket generously with non-stick cooking spray or line it with lettuce or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking.
• Place the dumplings inside the basket, leaving some space between them for even cooking.
• Cover the pot or wok and turn on the heat.
• Steam the dumplings for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through.

Using a Plate and Aluminum Foil:

• Take a pot and fill it with about an inch of water.
• Crumple up three pieces of aluminum foil into balls, roughly the size of golf balls. Place them in the pot.
• Find a heat-safe ceramic plate that fits just inside the pot and place it on top of the foil balls.
• Arrange the dumplings on the plate, ensuring they don't touch.
• Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
• Cover the pot with a lid and let the dumplings steam for about 10 minutes.
• Check if the dumplings are cooked by tearing one open – if the filling is still cold, steam for another minute or two.

Using Chopsticks:

• Take a pot with a diameter shorter than the length of your chopsticks.
• Place two chopsticks across the top of the pot, about half an inch apart.
• Balance the dumplings on the chopsticks, usually 4-5 at a time.
• Add about half an inch of water to the pot and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Cover the pot with a lid, ensuring it doesn't touch the dumplings.
• Let the dumplings steam for around 10 minutes.
• Check if the dumplings are cooked by tearing one open. If not, steam for another minute or two.

Frequently asked questions