Potato-Plum Dumplings
These Chinese potato dumplings feature a soft dough made from riced potatoes, flour, and farina. Each dumpling encases a sweet plum with a sugar cube centre. After boiling, they are rolled in golden, buttery breadcrumbs for a delightful contrast in texture. The recipe also includes variations for making simple potato noodles or a cinnamon-sprinkled dessert version. This recipe yields 14 servings.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup flour, plus flour as needed
- 1/4 cup farina
- 14 small sweet plums
- 14 small sugar cubes
- 1 cup fine dry breadcrumb
Method
- Scrub the potatoes thoroughly, leaving the skins on.
- Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with water, then bring to a boil.
- Boil the potatoes until they are fork-tender, which should take about 40 minutes, then drain them.
- Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and press the warm flesh through a potato ricer into a large bowl.
- Allow the riced potatoes to cool down.
- Mix the salt, lightly beaten eggs, and 1 tablespoon of softened butter into the potato mixture.
- Gradually incorporate 1 cup of flour and the farina until a workable dough forms, adding more flour if it feels too wet. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and soft. Shape the dough into one large roll.
- Slice the dough roll into 12 to 16 equal pieces.
- Cut each plum open and take out the pit.
- Insert a sugar cube into the cavity of each plum and close it back up.
- Using a floured rolling pin, flatten each dough piece into a 3-inch square that is 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick.
- Position one stuffed plum in the middle of each dough square. Fold the corners up and over to seal the plum inside completely.
- Press the seams together firmly to prevent the dumpling from opening during cooking.
- Fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Gently add the dumplings without overcrowding the pan and simmer, giving an occasional stir.
- Avoid a vigorous boil to keep the dumplings from splitting.
- Once the dumplings float to the top, continue cooking until tender, for 5 to 10 minutes total. Use a slotted spoon to transfer each dumpling to a warm bowl and cover to retain heat.
- Cook the remaining dumplings in batches. While they cook, melt 1/2 cup of butter in a small skillet. Add the breadcrumbs and stir until they turn a golden brown.
- Spread the browned crumbs on a plate. Roll each hot dumpling in the crumbs to coat it fully, then serve straight away.
- For a variation to make Potato Noodles, skip the plums and sugar cubes.
- Prepare the dough as instructed, then roll it with your hands to form one or more rolls about 1/2 inch in diameter.
- Cut these rolls into 2-inch lengths.
- Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles for 5 to 10 minutes until tender, then drain. Coat them in breadcrumbs as described for the dumplings.
- For Dessert Potato Noodles, prepare the Potato Noodles and coat them in breadcrumbs.
- Finish by sprinkling with cinnamon and sugar according to your taste. This makes 14 servings.
Nutrition (per serving)
Sodium221400 mg
Recipe details
CategoryPotato
Cuisinechinese
AuthorNancy Van Ess