First, you start with a simple, starchy dough rolled into a thin log. Then you slice a piece off the log and use a small rolling pin to flatten it into a circle. Next you add the meat mixture and pinch the edges closed before putting the dumpling in a steamer. When eating the delicious food, many people like to dip their dumplings in chili oil.
The host mom had prepared the rest of the food before we arived. She used a Western-style stove and did lots of chopping and stirring.
Dumplings are connected to the local environment because the cook uses whatever is available in the region for filling. In some regions, they fill them with soup! Dumplings can also be way of connecting with others. Families make dumplings together, and groups of friends will go out to dumpling shops.
