BRENDA WEAVER

How to Form Dumplings

Published on March 9, 2010

Here’s how to assemble the dumplings described in the recipe for pork and chive dumplings (see Pork and Chive Dumplings). For the first few dumplings, use just a tiny amount of filling, which will give you more wonton wrapper to work with as you get comfortable with the technique.

1. Laying the wrapper in the open palm of one hand, place a tablespoon or so of filling in the center and moisten the wrapper's edge with water.

2. Pinch opposite edges of the wrapper together to form a half-moon shape that's open at both ends.

3. With the half moon resting in your palm, use the thumb and forefinger of your other hand to grip a single edge of the wrapper near one corner of the dumpling. Fold the edge of the wrapper inward, about halfway toward dumpling's center; pinch the fold firmly closed to form a pleat, leaving the end of dumpling open. Continue to work on same side of dumpling to form a second pleat; then seal that end of dumpling by folding the corner toward you and pinching it shut, creating a third pleat.