One of our Chinese New Year traditions is making homemade dumplings together, and eating them the night before Chinese New Year, which symbolizes togetherness. I like to double this recipe and make about 50 at a time to keep in the freezer.

Ingredients

• Minced pork — 1 lb (20% fat)
• Dumpling wrappers — 1 pack (round; Wyzen/Dynasty brand)
• Chives — 1 bunch, chopped

Seasoning:

• Garlic — 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger — 1 tablespoon, minced
• White pepper — 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt — 1/2 teaspoon
• Sugar — 1 teaspoon
• Light soy sauce — 2 tablespoons
• Shaoxing wine — 2 tablespoons
• Sesame oil — 1 teaspoon
• Five spice powder — 1/4 teaspoon
• MSG — 1/4 teaspoon

Optional: Scallion, cilantro, egg, black rice vinegar, ginger powder, garlic powder, onion powder

Instructions

1. Mix minced pork with chopped chives and seasoning.
2. (Optional) Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a pan and mix it into the dumpling mixture.
3. Before wrapping, heat up a ball of dumpling mixture in microwave to taste.
4. Use water to wet edges of wrapper so they stick better. Lightly dust flour on completed dumplings so they don’t stick together.

Enjoy!