Chinese Dumplings

(perfect for Chinese New Year) and great fun for the kids to make. It really doesn't matter what they look like, they taste yummy. They freeze well.  I put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer and then move to a zipper top freezer bag.  Just take out as many as you need and boil....

2-3 green onions minced small (or Chinese Chives)
2 ribs celery (1 if Chinese celery) chopped fine
1 pound ground pork (or you can use ground chicken)
dried or fresh parsley (sprinkle some on)
1T grated fresh ginger
1 cup cabbage (chop small--I use Dole coleslaw mix and chop finer)
1/2 cup grated carrots that are also chopped small.

1 egg beaten
1T cornstarch
2t sesame oil (get this at an asian market, unique taste)
salt and pepper to taste (just sprinkle some in)
(mix the 4 preceeding ingredients together)

Purchased dumpling (round) or wonton (somewhat square) skins

Mix the meat and veggie mixture (use your hands, it's more fun) add the egg mixture. Mix it up. Drop buy skant teaspoonfulls onto the dumpling skins. Seal with water (use your finger to dip in a bowl of water and run a wet finger around the edges.) You can pleat these babies, make them into purses, or use a fork and go around the edges like ravoli. It all tastes the same. Get creative.

Bring a pan of water to a boil. The size of the pan dictates how many dumplings you can cook at once. (2 QT do 10-12 at a time, more if you are in a hurry and stir so they don't stick.) Cook them about 7 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon onto a platter.

Dip into purchased dumpling sauce or make your own...1T sesame oil, 1.5 T soy sauce, powdered garlic to taste...yum yum