Andrew Zimmern's Crucial Advice For The Perfect Dumplings

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The first tip Andrew Zimmern shares, per "The Rachael Ray Show," involves a specific ingredient he encourages using in every single dumpling, no matter what the other flavors in the filling are: cabbage. However, he's not talking about big chunks of raw cabbage. Specifically, he recommends adding cabbage that has been steamed and then cooled, squeeze-dried to remove excess moisture, and finely minced. This simple addition won't detract from the flavor of your dumpling filling, as cabbage has a fairly neutral taste, but it will help you achieve the perfect texture. If your particular dumpling recipe has a fair bit of fat in the filling, he also suggests incorporating a bit of crushed ice — as he explains, it helps to emulsify the fat.

Zimmern's second tip has to do with the assembly of your dumplings, and it prevents the dreaded burst-dumpling conundrum. And this particular tip can be applied to a huge range of foods with that same general filling and dough template, from spring rolls to empanadas. "Underfill everything. That's the secret to wrapped foods," he said on "The Rachael Ray Show."

When you know the filling you've created is absolutely delicious, it's hard to resist adding just a little bit extra to the dumpling. However, in this scenario, more isn't more — too much filling will prevent you from getting the picture-perfect dumplings you dream of.