Mash the tofu to yield about 3/4 cup.
To make the filling, combine mashed tofu with the
minced ingredients, salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
To make the wrappers, mix flour and water by hand,
kneading just enough to make a ball of dough. Cover
and let rest for at least an hour.
Place on a lightly floured board, and knead for 2
minutes or so. With palms of your hands, roll it into
a long, cylindrical shape, 12 inches inches long, 1
inch in diameter. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces;
you will have 24. If your climate is dry, keep the
dough covered. Shape these, cut-side up, into a round
shape. Flatten them with the palm or heel of your
hand on a flour-dusted board. With a pastry roller,
small rolling pin, piece of dowel, or even an empty
jar -- all of these should be wielded under the palm
of your hand -- roll each into a round wrapper, 3
inches in diameter, thicker in the center, thinner
toward the edge. This is easily done by rolling the
pastry roller from the edge of the piece of dough to
the center, and back again, turning the dough
counterclockwise a little with your left hand after
each roll. Continue all the way around several times,
also turning the dough over once or twice, until you
have a thin, 3-inch wrapper.
To assemble, place 1-1/2 teaspoons filling (or as much
as the wrapper will hold) in an elongated mound in the
center of each wrapper; fold the dough over the
filling so that the edges meet. Press the edges
together for a tight seal, at the same time making
four or five tiny pleats, pinched tightly flush with
the edge. Be sure that it is completely sealed to
keep the water out and the filling in. (With
commecial wrappers, it may be necessary to moisten
half of the inside edge first to get a seal.)
Bring 4 cups water to the boil in a pot. Immerse
eight dumplings at a time for 3 minutes (add an extra
minute if frozen -- do not defrost them first). Lest
they break open, add a little water to slow the boil
whenever it becomes too rapid. Stir occasionally in
case some of them stick to the bottom (true to their
name). After 3 minutes, remove the dumplings with a
slotted spoon. Cook the remaining two batches in the
same way. Serve hot, accompanied by small dipping
saucers of soy sauce and vinegar (cider or Chinese
dark), mixed in roughly equal proportions, or to
taste, and thinned with water or mushroom liquid if
too strong; add perhaps a drop of sesame and/or chile
oil. Some people like to add a little crushed garlic,
minced green onion, and/or gingerroot. Advance
preparation: These can be assembled ahead and frozen.
Do not defrost before cooking.
