Steamy Dumplings: No Steamer, No Problem!

There are several ways to cook dumplings without a steamer basket. One method is to use a microwave. Place dumplings and water in a microwavable bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a plate, and cook for 2.5 minutes. Another method is to use a pot with a lid. Place a heat-safe plate with dumplings on top of three balls of aluminium foil or a wire rack in the pot, add water, cover, and steam for about 10 minutes. You can also use a frying pan. Heat oil in the pan, fry the dumplings until golden brown, add water, cover, and steam for 6-10 minutes.

Using a pressure cooker

The pressure cooker method of cooking Mila dumplings is suitable for rice cookers, Instant Pots, and similar small appliances. Here is the equipment you'll need:

• A colander or wire rack that fits inside your small appliance of choice
• A steamer liner from your soup dumpling bag

First, fill your appliance with water and place the upside-down colander or wire rack inside. Ensure the water level does not exceed the wire rack or colander. Then, place the steamer liner on top of the rack or colander to prevent the dumplings from ripping and spilling their delicious soup into the water.

If you're using a rice cooker or Instant Pot, place your dumplings on the steamer rack and cover with the lid. The timing will vary depending on the appliance, but in general, steam the dumplings on low pressure for at least three minutes in an Instant Pot or for a full 10 minutes at a rolling boil in your rice cooker.

Tips:

• If you're using an Instant Pot, you can also try the wire rack method, which involves placing a wire rack at the bottom of the pot and pouring in enough water to last throughout the steaming process without overflowing. Once the water is at a rolling boil, place the steamer liner from your bag of soup dumplings onto the plate and set your frozen soup dumplings on top, leaving a 1-inch gap between each dumpling. Cover the setup with the pot's lid and set a timer for 11 minutes.
• It's important to note that the timing may vary depending on the appliance you're using, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Using a wire rack

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a wire rack to cook your Mila dumplings. Here's what you need to do:

Firstly, you'll need a saucepan, pot, or wok, and a wire steaming or cooling rack. Place the wire rack at the bottom of your chosen pot and pour in enough water so that it doesn't evaporate during the steaming process but also doesn't overflow. Then, turn on your stove and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Once the water is boiling, place one of the steamer liners from your bag of Mila soup dumplings onto the wire rack. Place your frozen dumplings on the liner, ensuring they are spaced about 1 inch apart. This will prevent them from sticking together.

Cover the setup with the pot's lid and set a timer for 11 minutes. Let the dumplings sit for another minute after turning off the heat. During this time, you can prepare your favourite sauce to enjoy with your dumplings.

Using aluminium foil

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use aluminium foil to cook your mila dumplings. Here's what you need to do:

First, you'll need to make three balls of aluminium foil, each about the size of a golf ball. Place these in a pot with around 1/2 inch (or 1.5 inches, according to another source) of water. The foil balls will act as a buffer between the bottom of the pot and the plate that you'll place your dumplings on.

Next, place a heat-safe ceramic plate on top of the foil balls. Make sure the plate fits just inside the pot, allowing the steam to circulate. Space your dumplings out on the plate so they aren't touching, as this will help them cook evenly. If you're using frozen dumplings, brush the plate with a little cooking oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Now, turn the stove to high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once it's boiling, put a lid on the pot to trap the steam. If your lid doesn't have a vent, wrap a towel around it to capture any condensation that might otherwise drip down and make your dumplings soggy.

Leave your dumplings to steam for about 10 minutes. After this time, remove the lid and take your dumplings out. They're now ready to serve!

Using chopsticks

How to Cook Mila Dumplings Without a Steamer Basket Using Chopsticks

Step 1: Prepare the pot and chopsticks

Using a pot with a diameter that’s shorter than the chopsticks, lay two chopsticks across the top of the pot, about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) apart from each other.

Step 2: Prepare the dumplings

You can use a chopstick rack to cook frozen or fresh dumplings. Balance the dumplings on the two chopsticks, ensuring they are spaced out and do not touch each other. This will allow them to cook evenly. You can usually steam around 4-5 dumplings at a time using this method.

Step 3: Boil water in the pot

Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pot and turn the stove to high heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil to ensure there is enough steam to cook the dumplings. If you are making a full meal, you can boil enough water to cook instant noodles along with your dumplings.

Step 4: Steam the dumplings

Place a lid over the dumplings and let them steam for about 10 minutes. Make sure the lid does not touch the dumplings. Do not remove the lid during the cooking process to prevent steam from escaping. After 10 minutes, carefully remove the dumplings from the chopsticks and serve.

Step 5: Check the dumplings

To ensure the dumplings are cooked properly, rip open one of them and check if the filling is hot. If you are cooking frozen dumplings and they still feel cold, return them to the chopstick rack and steam for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Using a frying pan

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can still cook your Mila dumplings in a frying pan. Here's how:

First, place one tablespoon of cooking oil into your frying pan and set your stove burner to medium heat. Swirl the oil around to evenly coat the pan. Next, place your dumplings on top of the steamer liner from the dumpling bag, ensuring they do not touch. Place the liner into the frying pan, then add just enough water to cover the liner. Cover the frying pan with a lid and heat the dumplings for nine minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165º Fahrenheit. Finally, let the dumplings stand for one minute before serving.

You can also steam-fry dumplings in a pan for a crispy texture. Here's how:

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the dumplings in the pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced apart. Fry the dumplings for one to two minutes, or until the bottoms turn golden brown. Use a spatula to lift and check the colour. Then, add water to the pan to cover the bottoms of the dumplings. If using fresh dumplings, add around two to three tablespoons of water. If using frozen dumplings, add enough water to cover the bottom third of the dumplings. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and cover the pan. Once the water evaporates, remove the lid and fry the dumpling wrappers until the water evaporates completely. Then, remove the dumplings from the pan and serve.

Frequently asked questions