This past week I was graciously invited to come to her home for soup and dumplings. Holy cow, was I surprised when I arrived. She made a feast. I was literally bombarded in the best way possible with delicious dumpling dishes. Her kitchen was steaming with good smells and her pantry absolutely stocked with Chinese delicacies..I was transported. Wonton Soup, Soup Dumplings, and Vegetable Garlic Dumplings were cooking in pots and bamboo steamers; all of which of course gave them extra love. She explained that the vegetables she uses in her dumplings can only be bought at a specialty store a long drive away because they grow in Shanghai and are imported. I am not going to lie, I felt as giddy as a school girl when I heard that. How blessed I was to have this foodie experience. Not only that but she sent me home with a big box of food to reheat at home.
The wonton soup broth seemed rather easy to make, and often times simplicity is beauty:
The stock made from boiling the wontons
Sesame oil
Soy sauce
Scallions
Pea shoots
Black bean sauce with imported rice vinegar served on the side.
Soup dumplings if you have never had them are extraordinary. Warning however: Don't ever put a whole hot soup dumpling in your mouth because you will literally sear your throat. What you must do is cradle the dumpling on a large spoon, take a small bite and let the soup that is in the dumpling run out into the spoon. Then, eat the amazing goodness in full once it's cooled off a bit. Like I said, just extraordinary.
Her husband calls her the Dumpling Woman, and rightly so if I do say so myself. Her generosity, kindness and smile brightened my entire week. I look forward to going back sometime.
