1. Prepare the Shrimp:
- Chop Shrimp:
- Finely chop the shrimp or pulse in a food processor until roughly minced. You want it to be finely chopped but not pureed.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped shrimp, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and green onions.
- Season and Mix:
- Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, salt, and egg white. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and sticky.
3. Assemble the Shumai:
- Prepare Wrappers:
- Place a dumpling wrapper on a clean surface. If using round shumai wrappers, place one wrapper in each of the compartments of a steamer basket.
- Fill Wrappers:
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of each wrapper. Gently press the filling to flatten it, leaving the edges of the wrapper folded down around the filling to form a cup shape. You can also gather the edges slightly to create a pleated look.
- Garnish (Optional):
- Place a small piece of chopped carrot on top of each dumpling for added color and a bit of extra texture.
4. Steam the Shumai:
- Prepare Steamer:
- Fill a steamer with water and bring to a boil. Line the steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking.
- Steam:
- Place the assembled shumai in the steamer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Steam over high heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the wrappers are translucent.
5. Serve:
- Dipping Sauce:
- Serve the shumai hot with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce and a touch of sesame oil. You can also serve with chili oil or a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar for extra flavor.
- Enjoy:
- Enjoy your homemade shumai as an appetizer or a main dish, alongside steamed rice or noodles.
Tips:
- Keep Filling Moist: If the filling feels too dry, you can add a little more soy sauce or a splash of water to keep it moist.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh vegetables and seafood.
- Freezing: Shumai can be frozen before steaming. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Steam from frozen for an extra 5 minutes.
This Shumai recipe yields delicious, savory dumplings with a juicy filling and delicate wrapper. Enjoy making and savoring these tasty treats!