Video:How to Make Har Gau

Transcript:How to Make Har Gau

Hi, my name is Krystyna Rittichier and I'm here for About.com. Today we're making har gau or shrimp dumplings, using a recipe from About.com's Chinese Food site. When finished, this recipe will 30 to 35 dumplings.

For The Har Gau Dough, You Will Need:

3/4 Cup Wheat Starch
2 tbsp Tapioca Starch
¼ tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Boiling Water
2 tbsp Boiling Water
2 1/2 tsp Vegetable Oil

Ingredients For the Shrimp Dumpling Filling:

6 oz Raw Shrimp, rinsed, tails removed, and chopped
3 tbsp Bamboo Shoots, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp Green Onion, finely chopped
3/4 tsp Dry Sherry
1/4 tsp Asian Sesame Oil
1/4 tsp Salt
Pinch Ground White Pepper
1 Egg White, lightly beaten
2 tsp Cornstarch
Vegetable Oil for coating surfaces

Prepare the Har Gau Dough and Filling

In a medium mixing bowl combine the wheat starch, tapioca starch and salt. Stir in the 1/2 cup of boiling water, then add 2 1/2 tsp of vegetable oil. Work the dough into a ball, and knead for about two minutes. The dough should look smooth and shiny. Cover the dough and allow it to set for about 20 minutes. Make the filling in a medium mixing bowl by combining the shrimp with all the remaining ingredients. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for one hour.

Stuff the Dumpling Dough with the Shrimp Filling

Oil your cutting board and a meat cleaver with a light coat of vegetable oil. Pinch off 1 teaspoon of Har Gau dough, and cover the remaining dough to prevent it from drying out. Roll the dough into a ball, then flatten it against the oiled cutting board with the palm of your hand. Use the oiled meat cleaver to press the dough out to a diameter of 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Add a heaping teaspoon of filling onto the dough, and spread it out evenly. Do not spread the filling to the outer edges of the dough.

Steam the Har Gau Dumplings

To shape the dumpling, carefully lift the outer edges of the dough, and form pleats until all the edges of the dough are brought together above the filling. Place you first formed dumpling aside, and cover it with a damp cloth to prevent the dough from drying out. When all of your dumplings are prepared, prepare your steamer for cooking. If you are using a bamboo steamer, bring a pot of water to boil, and rest the steamer on top of the pot. Cook the har gau dumplings on a lightly oiled plate in the steamer. The dumplings are ready when the wrapper becomes translucent, and the shrimp is slightly orange. The dumplings are now ready to serve. Serve the dumplings with soy sauce for dipping.

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Music by Jason Shaw @ audionautix.com