Cowboy Potstickers Recipe
Crispy fried pork and vegetable dumplings, with duo of dipping sauces, soy macha salsa and yum yum sauce
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Ingredients
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Filling
Wrappers & Assembly
Pan-frying & Crisping
Soy-Macha Salsa
Yum Yum Sauce
Garnish & Serve
Method
Filling
- 1
Prep cabbage
Place the shredded napa cabbage in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 tsp kosher salt, toss, and let sit 8–10 minutes to draw out water. After resting, squeeze the cabbage firmly in a clean towel or between your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid and return the cabbage to the bowl.
- 2
Combine filling ingredients
In a large mixing bowl combine the ground pork, drained cabbage, 2 thinly sliced scallions, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbs light soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbs Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp white pepper, 1 tbs cornstarch and 1 large beaten egg. Mix vigorously with a fork or chop/mix with your hands until the mixture becomes sticky and evenly combined (this helps the filling hold together). Cover and chill 15–20 minutes to firm up the filling; chilling also helps the wrappers hold their shape during assembly.
Wrappers & Assembly
- 3
Prepare workspace
Lightly dust your work surface with 1 tbs cornstarch or flour to prevent sticking and keep a small bowl of the 2 tbs cold water nearby for sealing wrappers. Keep assembled potstickers covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
- 4
Fill and fold potstickers
Place one dumpling wrapper in your palm. Put about 1 rounded teaspoon of filling into the center (adjust slightly for wrapper size). Dip your finger in the cold water and moisten the edge of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half to form a half-moon, then pleat or press the edges to seal tightly, removing any air pockets. Repeat until you have used all wrappers or filling (should make ~24). Cover assembled potstickers with a damp towel while you work to prevent drying.
Pan-frying & Crisping
- 5
Heat the pan
Use a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. Place over medium-high heat and add 2 tbs neutral oil, swirling to coat the bottom.
- 6
Brown the bottoms
Arrange potstickers in the skillet in a single layer with about 1/2 cm between them (work in two batches if needed). Fry, undisturbed, until the bottoms are golden brown, 2–3 minutes.
- 7
Add slurry and steam
Mix 2 tbs flour with 120 ml cold water until smooth (this creates a thin slurry for a crispy skirt). Carefully pour 120 ml warm water around the potstickers (just enough to come up the sides, not cover), then immediately drizzle the flour slurry evenly around the dumplings. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce heat to medium, and steam until the liquid has mostly evaporated and wrappers are translucent, about 5–6 minutes.
- 8
Finish crisping
Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high for 30–60 seconds to evaporate remaining moisture and re-crisp the bottoms. Use a thin spatula to gently lift and transfer potstickers to a serving platter, placing them browned-side up so the crispy bottoms remain crisp. Repeat with remaining potstickers.
Soy-Macha Salsa
- 9
Make the salsa
In a small bowl whisk together 3 tbs light soy sauce, 1 tbs chile macha oil, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbs fresh lime juice and 0.5 tsp sugar (if using). Stir in 2 tbs chopped cilantro, 1 thinly sliced scallion, and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Taste and adjust acidity or heat as needed. Set aside at room temperature.
Yum Yum Sauce
- 10
Whisk the sauce
In a bowl combine 0.5 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbs ketchup, 1 tbs rice vinegar, 1 tsp sriracha, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.25 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp sugar. Whisk until smooth. Thin with up to 2 tbs cold water, a little at a time, until you reach a pourable/creamy consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve; flavors meld after 10–15 minutes.
Garnish & Serve
- 11
Plate and finish
Arrange potstickers on a platter. Sprinkle with the extra thinly sliced scallion and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with bowls of the soy-macha salsa and yum yum sauce on the side, along with lime wedges for squeezing over if desired.
