Three Delicacies’ Potstickers (Guo Tie)

Meat, Seafood, and Vegetables in One Potsticker

Three delicacies’ potstickers are a crispy, fried take on the traditional dumpling, with an innovative cooking method and exquisite flavor. Common filling ingredients include pork and whatever fresh produce is in-season.

Chinese Three Delicacies' Potstickers, Also Known As Guo Tie — Chinese Three Delicacies' Potstickers, also known as Guo Tie

Ingredients

2 ½ cups flour
streaky pork as needed/desired
sea cucumber as needed/desired
winter bamboo shoots as needed/desired

Seasonings

green onions as needed/desired
ginger as needed/desired
salt as needed/desired
black pepper as needed/desired
sesame oil as needed/desired
soy sauce as needed/desired
vegetable oil as needed/desired

Please see measurements in grams to be more exact for all ingredients and seasonings.

Cooking Directions

How to make the dumpling filling

Chop up the streaky pork into small pieces. Quick-boil the sea cucumber and cut into small pieces. Cube the winter bamboo shoots. Cut the green onions and ginger into small pieces.

Add the green onions, ginger, salt, black pepper, sesame oil, and soy sauce to the streaky pork.

Stir in the sea cucumber and bamboo pieces to complete the filling mixture.

How to make dumpling skins

Add warm water to the flour, and stir until a tender, sticky dough is formed. Break apart into smaller ball-shaped pieces, then roll flat to form the dumpling wrapper.

Put it all together

Pour the three delicacies filling mixture onto the dough wrapper. Form the dough around the filling into a crescent shape, and pinch 5~7 creases to enclose each potsticker.

Add oil to a pan and slowly cook the potstickers, occasionally adding more oil and water. Cover and continue to cook until the bottom of the potstickers are golden-brown.

Chinese Medicine Guide to Better Health:

Pork is a hearty meat that nourishes and enriches the blood.
Sea cucumber is known to improve memory and prevent arteriosclerosis.
The combination of ingredients found in this potsticker recipe can also help relieve constipation.

The Origin of Potstickers

According to the story, Emperor Taizu of the Northern Song Dynasty first coined the term “potsticker.” Upset after the death of the emperor dowager, one Spring the emperor did not partake in the customary festivals and feasts, as he had no appetite during this time of sorrow.

However, while walking alone in the courtyard a few days later, an interesting smell piqued his interest. He followed the scent to a street vendor, and saw the cook placing unfinished dumplings in an iron pot to fry. Although this was an unusual way to cook dumplings, he had not eaten for a few days and suddenly realized he was starving. He asked the cook to take a few out for him, then a few more, and then a few more. They were delicious, crispy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside. Looking at the pot in which they were cooked, the emperor named them “potstickers.”