Boston's Hidden Restaurants

Recipes from Hiddenboston

A sampling of recipes included within the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site, including those inspired by dining spots reviewed by the site as well as recipes directly from restaurants.

Pork and Leek Dumplings

Photo of pork and leek dumplings (recipe) While I spend much of my time reviewing restaurants, I also do a lot of cooking and occasionally take cooking classes as well. One such class that I took awhile back was with Brian Reyelt of the Boston-based Franklin Restaurant Group, which includes locations of the Franklin Cafe and Tasty Burger, along with the Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar. One item that Brian showed me how to make was steamed pork and scallion dumplings, and I've been making them ever since, using his simple but excellent recipe. Recently, I've been doing variations on the recipe, including a very tasty pork and leek option where I make slight alterations to the original recipe. The recipe can be found below--and for it, I personally use a wooden steamer placed in a heated wok, but feel free to use whatever method of steaming you're used to.

Prep: | Cooking: | Total Time: | Servings: 3-6

Ingredients:

Dumplings:
30 round dumpling wrappers
1 pound ground pork, chopped
1/2 cup leeks, chopped (from white center stalk) plus leaves to place dumplings on
1/3 cup ginger, grated
2 tsp corn starch
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup leeks, chopped
1 tsp ginger, grated
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. While wrappers are being brought to room temperature, mix pork, leeks, ginger, corn starch, soy sauce, and pepper flakes (if you want heat) in a bowl.

2. Use your finger to wet the outer part of a wrapper, then place a small amount of the mixture in the middle. Bring the outer edges of the wrapper to the top, creating what looks like a purse, and make sure the top is as tightly crimped as possible to make sure mixture doesn't come out. Repeat with the rest of the wrappers.

3. Place dumplings on leaves of leeks to keep from sticking to steamer (and to add subtle flavor) and set steamer to medium-high. Steam for approximately 8 minutes.

4. While dumpling are cooking, mix all ingredients for sauce in a small bowl or cup.

5. Serve dumplings with dipping sauce on the side.