China: The Delectable Dumpling

Dumplings are better than flowers.   --Japanese proverb

           Nothing is tastier than a dumpling.  --Chinese saying

Dumplings, the festive food of the north of China are the mainstay of every table here. In the south, rice and noodles are more prevalent than dumplings. But in the north of China, the dumpling rules. Basically, there are about seven different kinds of dumplings, and they are divided into two categories--the dainty potsticker variety, which can be boiled, steamed, or fried, and then the bun-like variety that has a breaded covering. My own preference is the jiaozi:"--the potsticker variety. Perhaps it is because some of my favorite memories in both China and Taiwan have been at friends' homes preparing the delectable dumpling.

It is said that it was 1,800 years ago that the first dumpling was made in China by Zhang Zhongjing. He was a doctor and saw many people with frostbite so he decided to make a dinner to take to his patients so they would not be cold anymore--to bring in the new year. 

Dumplings are made from pork, chive, or fennel--often with cabbage, celery, or carrots. They are mixed sometimes with shrimp, beef, eggs, and mushrooms--just endless varieties. One restaurant here in Tianjin boasts of having 100 kinds of fillings in their dumplings. Here in the north, they are served with vinegar, fried red pepper, soy sauce, and often a clove of garlic. 

We found the most wonderful restaurant with jaudze (potsticker or dumpling that is steamed, fried, or boiled. (My personal preference is steamed).  They also had baudze (bread-like dumplings). Message me if you live in Tianjin--just an ordinary-looking "nosedive" little restaurant near the Haihe River... But they know how to make a dumpling!!!

                      If you happen to be in Tianjin, China, this is the best place we have found--bar                           none. It is not a fancy place. Some people might think it a dive, but it is my                                favorite. 

At our favorite little place where they steam the dumplings in small baskets.

Delivering them to our table--about nine in each basket. 

The best dumplings, however, are when you get invited to someone's house. And then you find out their personal family secrets and ways to make their own kind of dumpling.

Some of my most special memories of being in Asia have been when friends invite you to their homes. The hostess and guest's roles merge and blur--you are just good friends making your dinner together. 


Our first invitation to make dumplings when we first arrived to Tianjin. Somehow that first invitation to rub shoulders together, and roll and fill dumplings made me feel more welcome to my new city. It is a grand treat to be invited to make dumplings together. Never underestimate a dumpling invitation!


Many kids, both boys, and girls are trained early on how to make a sumptuous dumpling.

How to make a dumpling

1)

 Get the filling ready

2)

Roll the dough and cut into small cookie-like slices, and then flatten them, making them almost transparently thin. 


3)

Put filling in, about the size of a small teaspoon. 

4)

Fill the dumpling, and then pinch them on the sides, and then on the fold, making a little crescent moon.

5)


This is the beginning of the memory-making--gathering around to fill the dumplings with loved ones. 

6)

You can steam, fry, or boil the dumplings.  

Restaurants in Northern China: The Focus is on the Dumpling

At a restaurant in Tianjin. The steamers are then given to each table.

The special dim sum dumpling that was supposedly invented outside of Shanghai--existing of 23 "pleats" in a very thin whole wheat wrapper. It has a little bit of a fragrant soup that stays in a puddle in the dumpling and then explodes in your mouth. 

Dim sum has a plethora of fillings--mutton, pork, chicken, and seafood. 

More dim sums...

                               These dim sum had a chocolate filling. I had never tried that before. 

And sometimes, you are lucky enough to have friends who just bring you dumplings!

China: Year of the Tiger 2022

Every child must wear a tiger hat on their first Chinese New Year. Our grandchild wearing his tiger hat.

Last night at midnight, fireworks signaled a change in the world for about two billion people. The year of the slow and steady ox faded out, and in jumped the audacious, confident tiger. 2022 is set to be a year of having courage and adventures, so the story says. Not only do the 1.4 people in China celebrate, but all around Asia, Southeast Asia, and Asians who live around the world. Fireworks and firecrackers were popping last night to celebrate the new year's entrance, and to ensure they scare any bad spirits away for the next year. 

The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese legend goes that the early Jade Emperor stated that the first twelve animals that arrived at the palace would be able to be in the Chinese zodiac. The rat hitched a ride with the ox, who agreed to sing to the plugging, agreeable ox. At the last minute, the rat slid off of his nose and won the race to be the first animal to start the zodiac. The competitive tiger came in third. Next year will be the rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. So what animal are you?

This is my sixth Chinese Year living in Asia. Like everyone else, we cleaned our house. Anciently, they believed clean houses steered away bad spirits. We put up paper cuts on the windows and doors--with greetings and wishes for prosperity and long life. We made dumplings with friends and will have a week of visiting with friends and making more dumplings. I have seen many a dragon dance and heard the pans clanging to keep the bad spirits away. 

I talked with a friend who grew up in a village in Henan province in the 1980s and '90s about what it was like during Chinese New Year for her. She lived in a very small village (about 2,000 people) where many people were related to her or were good family friends. A few days before the Chinese New Year, they would kill a pig for the filling of the dumplings. There were no refrigerators at the time in the village, but it was cold enough to keep it chilled. She watched her mom remove the intestines and other internal parts to prepare for the New Year's meals. The first sound she remembers hearing early in the morning on New Year's Eve day is her mother pounding the meat for the dumplings. 

It would take her mother several hours in the early morning to chop the meat to get it ready for the dumpling filling. At about noon, many of the family would gather to roll the dough and spoon the savory meat and vegetable filling into the round dough. Sometimes her mother would make several different kinds of fillings--depending on the harvest that year. Scallions, leeks, cabbage, garlic, fennel, and even carrots are mixed with meats or eggs. Everyone sits around for hours making the crescent nuggets. They are shaped like golden nuggets that were formally used for currency and are synonymous with hopeful prosperity for the year. Those hours of pinching dough around the specially made dumplings is an awaited time all year. Gossip, jokes, stories, and laughs are shared as everyone makes dumplings together. Oftentimes, a coin would be placed in a few dumplings. Whoever found the dumpling with the coin, would be considered lucky for the next year. My blog is called The Delectable Dumpling if you want to know more about dumplings... 😆

That night before dinner, the young children receive new clothes to wear. Historically, this was the only time the children would receive new clothes. They excitedly await the time when their parents will give them a red envelope with some pocket money for candy or treats. As they get older and if the parents can afford it, they give them more money for their education. But before the meal starts, the children, all dressed in their new clothes, bow before their parents and tell them they are grateful for them and what good parents they are. Kneeling down before their parents, they thank them for bringing them life and the blessings they give them. Traditionally, they would play games, do skits, and puppet shows. But for the last several decades, China puts on a huge entertainment show that goes for four to five hours that is broadcast all over China. The gala show has the largest audience of any entertainment in the world. In 2020, 1.2 billion people tuned in. 

The next day, she remembers waking up early with the parents to ride their bikes to the temple to give the ancestors their share of dumplings. Our friend said she would carry the bowl of dumplings or some bread as she peddled along in the early morning chill darkness of the village. But they were not the only ones riding their bicycles. Almost everyone in the village would be there too to pay their respect to the dead. Afterward, on this first day of Chinese New Year, her father would go to visit his parents and bring his family. He too would bow before his parents, in order of birth, to tell his parents of his gratitude for them. Our friend would wear her new clothes to visit her grandparents, and they would also give her a red envelope with money. 

The next day is for the wife to visit her parents. The wife will go back to her home and bring her family to show her respect for her parents and see her family members. The following days are for visiting extended family and family friends. Everyone always has nuts, candy, and fruit to share with the visitors.

More than anything Chinese New Year--no matter the zodiac animal--is about family ties and gathering for reunions. That is my favorite part--to watch the families gather, and to know they have been doing this for thousands of years. 

                    

     A grandfather getting his grandchild covered to go on a scooter ride outside. The red banners stay up for several months after New Year. This is a hall in our apartment building.

                     

               The little girl has her new clothes for the Chinese New Year in front of our door...

                                                  Joseph found the coin in his dumpling last night.

                                                           Making dumplings with friends

                                                     Choosing the coins for the dumplings...

                                                               Kneading the dumpling dough

      Some banners of slogans and wishes adorn many shops and houses. 

They are not taken down for many months, and sometimes ...

stay up all year long...

                                                     Ready to go and make some dumplings?

China: Happy New Year of the Ox and The legend of the Big-footed Queen....

Year of the Ox--Steady, Strong, Persevering, Diligent, Helpful, Dependable, Hardworking

This was my fifth Chinese New Year living in Asia--always a treasured time to have another new year celebration. February 12, 2021, was the beginning of the new year of the ox in China. The ox is the second animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar. The ox is the symbol of steadiness and reliable assistance in times of need. It is the animal who for centuries has brought the awaited and promised harvest. Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (as they call it) is a joyful time when China slows down for a week. All the stores, many restaurants, and shops close for at least this one night and possibly the next day. If it is at all possible, everyone goes home to their village to see their family. It is very important that every effort is made to return home. People save all year for the trip if they live far from their province. 

It starts on New Year's Eve, the day before New Year's. This is a special time when the family gathers together to eat favorite dishes (Fish is always eaten to show hope for abundance and prosperity), play games, and usually watch the nationally televised New Year's program on TV. Family reunions and gatherings are very important, and usually, throughout the next week, people go around visiting cousins, aunts, uncles, and even further extended family. There is a festive, happy spirit in the air with abundant lights, red banners, and signs everywhere. The government now bans fireworks, but you can still hear them going off sporadically during the holidays. They are supposed to ward off bad spirits. 

Chinese New Year is the beginning of a new year, renewed hopes and dreams. It's fun to relive it again--this time with a Chinese flair.

Children are supposed to get new clothes, and of course, in red.

I saw a lot of mahjong games. Apparently, many families spend many hours during the week playing the Chinese game of checkers.

Friends at our front door. Everyone decorates their door with banners that state blessings for those who enter of long life, prosperity, and health. 

A Chinese New Year gathering at our house

Making dumplings

Boiling the dumplings...

Chinese New Year's Eve at a restaurant with friends

This year making different colored dumplings

Playing games together...

Dancing and charades

On the street, there are many games to be played.

More mahjong games on the street

Family members give red envelopes with money as a present for loved ones. Many restaurants decorate with empty red envelopes.

Steamed seafood that is popular here in Tianjin for the holiday

Chinese New Year is a time to bring out all the culinary skills and delights.

More new red clothes for the Chinese New Year...

Kumquats or kumquat trees are a common gift during Chinese New Year. The Chinese word for kumquats is jinjr, which means gold. It is a blessing and gift to have prosperity for the year.

Oxes--the Chinese symbol of steadiness...

Some Oxes made out of a basket material we saw in Yangshou last summer. The ox is indeed revered, especially in the villages where they are depended on for their harvest.

                                                The Legend of the Big-Footed Queen

On almost every door in China, you will see the character of Fu, which means fortune, or jufu means blessing. But often time, you will see that it is hung upside down on everyone's door. The story is that Emperor Ziuyuanzhang and his Queen Ma Huanghou went on a stroll on New Year's Eve to see the lanterns hanging around the village. They walked up to one lantern where some of the villagers were laughing at an image on the lantern. 

It was a drawing of a woman on a horse with big feet. The image was in reference to Queen Ma who was known to come from poverty and did not have the small bound, dainty feet the women all aspired to have at that time in China. The horse the character was riding on was talking about the Queen's family's name, which was Ma (meaning horse in Mandarin). The emperor was furious and wanted revenge on justice on whoever had mocked his wife. He ordered his guards to find the person who drew the picture and turn their door symbol upside down so the assassin would know which door to secretly enter to kill that person. 

When the queen heard the emperor's plan, she was sad and did not want anyone to die because of her. She ordered her servants to flip all the signs upside down on all of the villagers' doors so the assassin would not know which door was the right one to enter. This unexpected order saved all the lives of the family from which the lantern came from. They were so grateful and told everyone of the queen's mercy. People then decided to turn their signs upside-down every Chinese New Year to celebrate the compassionate queen.