Sourdough Beyond Bread

Sourdough Dumplings with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Imagine a delicate dumpling, its soft, pillowy skin yielding to a flavorful filling, all enveloped in a fiery, nutty sauce. This culinary masterpiece is a fusion of cultures, a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western flavors, all brought together by the magic of sourdough.

Ingredients:

Image Source: homegrownhappiness.com

For the Sourdough Starter:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup water

For the Dumplings:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup tapioca starch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sourdough starter

1/2 cup boiling water

Filling:

1 pound ground pork

1/2 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:

1/2 cup roasted peanuts

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon sambal oelek

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup vegetable broth

Preparation Process:

1. Activate the Sourdough Starter:

Combine flour and water in a bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours, or until bubbly and active.

2. Make the Dumpling Dough:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, tapioca starch, and salt.

Add sourdough starter and boiling water, stirring until a dough forms.

Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

3. Prepare the Filling:

In a large bowl, combine ground pork, mushrooms, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix well.

4. Assemble the Dumplings:

Roll out the dough into a thin sheet.

Cut out circles using a round cutter.

Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.

Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges tightly.

5. Cook the Dumplings:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Gently add the dumplings to the boiling water.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface.

Remove the dumplings from the water and drain well.

6. Make the Spicy Peanut Sauce:

In a food processor, combine peanuts, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sambal oelek, garlic, and vegetable broth.

Blend until smooth.

Total Time Required: 2-3 hours

Serving Ideas:

Serve the dumplings hot with the spicy peanut sauce.

Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro.

Pair with a side of steamed bok choy or stir-fried vegetables.

This dish is a testament to the power of culinary fusion. The delicate dumplings, inspired by Chinese cuisine, are brought to life with the tangy sourdough starter, a nod to European baking traditions. The fiery peanut sauce, with its Southeast Asian roots, adds a bold and complex flavor profile.

Each bite is a journey through time and space, a celebration of the diverse cultures that have shaped our world.