Steaming Perfection: Frozen Dumplings In A Steam Oven

There are several ways to cook frozen dumplings in a steam oven, including boiling, steaming, and steam-frying. The boiling method involves adding dumplings to a pot of boiling water, stirring them, and then adding cold water to stop the boil. This process is repeated until the dumplings are cooked through. For steaming, dumplings are placed in a bamboo or metal steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves, which is then placed over a pot of boiling water. The dumplings are then steamed for around 10 minutes. Steam-frying involves frying dumplings in oil before adding water and steaming them in a pan.

How to steam frozen dumplings in a steam oven

Preparation

Before you start steaming your frozen dumplings, you'll need to decide whether to use a bamboo or metal steamer. If you're using a bamboo steamer, make sure your wok or pot has enough water to come up the sides of the steamer by about 1 cm. This will prevent scorching. For a metal steamer, simply ensure there's enough water to simmer for 10 minutes without drying out.

Next, line your steamer with a non-stick liner. You can use large, flat leaves of cabbage or lettuce, or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, you'll need to poke a few holes in it to let the steam through.

Cooking

Place your dumplings about 1 inch apart on the liner, giving them some room to expand. Once the water in your steamer/wok is boiling, place the dumplings in, cover, and steam on medium to medium-high heat. The dumplings should be cooked in around 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on the type of dumpling, so check the packet instructions.

Serving

Frozen dumplings are best served hot, so get them on a plate and enjoy immediately! If you're finding the tops of the dumplings are a little dry, you can cover them with an oven-safe dish or bowl to act as a lid.

Tips

When cooking frozen dumplings, there is no need to defrost them first. You may, however, want to cook them for a little longer than you would cook fresh dumplings—around 10 minutes should do the trick!

How to steam frozen dumplings in a bamboo steamer

Step 1: Prepare the Wok or Pot

Place the bamboo steamer into your wok or another wide-rimmed, shallow pan. Fill it with enough water to come up above the bottom rim of the steamer by about a quarter to half an inch. Ensure the water level is below the food-steaming basket to prevent the bubbling water from touching the food.

Step 2: Line the Bamboo Steamer

Use Napa cabbage leaves, lettuce leaves, layers of cheesecloth, or parchment paper to line the bamboo steamer. You can also purchase perforated parchment paper liners or reusable cloth/silicone liners designed for bamboo steamers. The liners should be porous to allow steam to circulate and cook the food.

Step 3: Place Dumplings in the Steamer

Place the frozen dumplings in the steamer, leaving about one inch between each dumpling to allow room for expansion. Do not overcrowd the steamer.

Step 4: Place the Bamboo Steamer in the Wok/Pot

Place the steamer into the wok/pot when the water is cold, and then turn on the heat. Alternatively, you can preheat the water to a simmer before placing the steamer with dumplings inside.

Step 5: Steam the Dumplings

Once the water in the wok/pot is simmering, allow the dumplings to steam according to the recipe's instructions. Keep an eye on the water level and add boiling water as needed to maintain the simmer. Steam for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the ingredients inside. The dumpling skins will become slightly transparent, and you'll know they're ready when the filling is cooked through.

Tips:

• Before using a new bamboo steamer, soak the bottom rim in water for 30 minutes to prevent scorching.
• Always dry your bamboo steamer completely before storing to prevent mould or mildew.
• Do not put your bamboo steamer in the dishwasher or soak it in the sink for extended periods.

How to boil frozen dumplings

Ingredients:

• Frozen dumplings
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Vegetables (optional)
• Sauce (optional)

Utensils:

• Large pot
• Strainer
• Saucepan (optional)

Method:

Boiling frozen dumplings is a simple and effective way to cook them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1:

Fill a large pot two-thirds of the way with water. You can add a pinch of salt to the water if you like, but this is optional. Cover the pot and place it on a stovetop on high heat. Bringing the water to a boil will be the most time-consuming part of the process, so it is best to do this first.

Step 2:

Once the water is boiling, add as many frozen dumplings as can fit comfortably in a single layer in the pot. Make sure not to overcrowd the pot, as this will affect the cooking time and the dumplings may stick together. Give the dumplings a quick stir to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot or to each other.

Step 3:

Let the dumplings cook for two to three minutes after they have been added to the pot. You will know they are ready when they start to float to the surface. If they are not floating after a few minutes, let them cook for a little longer.

Step 4:

Use a strainer to fish the dumplings out of the pot. Give them a gentle shake to remove any excess water, and they are now ready to serve.

Tips:

• If you want to add some extra flavour to your dumplings, you can boil them with vegetables. Add the vegetables to the pot first and blanch them before adding the dumplings. This method is also a great way to save time and water, as you don't need to boil a separate pot of water for the dumplings.
• Boiled dumplings go well with a variety of sauces, such as soy sauce, chilli oil, or black vinegar. You can also serve them as part of a dumpling noodle soup.
• If you want to be sure that your dumplings are cooked through, take one out of the pot and cut it in half to check.
• To prevent your dumplings from becoming mushy, you can partially thaw them before boiling. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before adding them to the pot.
• When cooking frozen dumplings, always cook them straight from the freezer. Do not defrost them beforehand.

Enjoy your delicious, hot dumplings!

How to steam-fry frozen dumplings

Steam-frying is a great way to cook frozen dumplings, resulting in a crispy yet juicy finish. This method combines pan-frying and steaming, and all you need is a frying pan and a lid.

Step 1: Heat Oil in a Pan

Place a non-stick frying pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. When the pan is hot, add a thin layer of oil.

Step 2: Fry the Dumplings

Add the frozen dumplings to the pan, ensuring the flat bottoms are touching the pan. Leave a bit of space between them so they don't stick together. Fry until the bottoms turn golden brown.

Step 3: Add Water and Cover

Add about a third of a cup of water to the pan, or enough to just cover the bottom of the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and let the dumplings steam until the water has evaporated.

Step 4: Uncover and Fry

Once the water has evaporated, remove the lid and continue frying the dumplings until they reach your desired level of crispiness. You can simply crisp the bottoms, or flip the dumplings to fry each side for extra crispness.

Tips:

• If using a bamboo steamer, line it with parchment paper or Napa cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Poke a few holes in the liner to let the steam through.
• If your dumplings are sticking to the pan, brush the pan with a thin layer of oil before adding the dumplings.
• If you want to add a lacy skirt to your dumplings, replace the water with a cornstarch slurry.

How to microwave and fry frozen dumplings

Microwave

Place your frozen dumplings in a microwave-safe bowl and add water until they're about half covered. Place a microwave-safe plate on top to cover the bowl, then microwave on high power until the dumplings are cooked through, which should take about three minutes.

Fry

While your dumplings are in the microwave, start pre-heating a couple of tablespoons of oil in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. After microwaving, drain the dumplings, set them on a plate, and count to 15 to allow their surface moisture to evaporate. Then, dump the dumplings in the skillet, arrange them so they're right-side-up, and cook for less than a minute. If you want crispier dumplings, feel free to crisp them up on multiple surfaces.

Pan Fry

Pan frying is another way to get a great texture on your dumplings. Heat a pan on medium-high with a couple of tablespoons of oil in it. Once hot, add your frozen dumplings. Cook in oil for about three to four minutes, turning once to sear multiple sides. Then, add just enough water to cover the dumplings about halfway, turn the heat down to medium-low, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Steam until all of the water has evaporated. With this method, your dumplings will have a mixture of steamed and seared textures.

Deep Fry

Many people prefer this method of cooking frozen dumplings because it's the quickest and easiest way to get a perfectly crispy exterior. To do it, add oil to a deep fryer or a large pot. Using a thermometer for accuracy, heat your oil to between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and then add your frozen dumplings to the oil. For best results, make sure not to thaw your dumplings first. Your oil will naturally drop in temperature once you add the dumplings but that's fine. Cook the dumplings in oil for about two to three minutes, taking out a test dumpling first to ensure they're ready. When cooked correctly, a deep-fried frozen dumpling will have a brown and crispy exterior with a hot and steaming interior.

Frequently asked questions