My passion for cooking started when I began dating my husband. It became fun to try new recipes at home versus dining out and it was during this time I asked my mom to teach me how to make her mandoo ( Mandoo is dumplings in Korean). Long story short she flat out said no and told me I had to wait until I got married.
Fast forward. I got married. I asked again. She said no. Apparently, she's holding out until I have kids. Sigh. I can never win.
Even though I think she is being mean, I just don't have the heart to tell her we aren't planning on kids. She is after all my mom. So, I spent roughly four hours this weekend trying three different dumpling recipes. Unfortunately I didn't find anything that can compete with hers, but I don't plan on sharing that with her. I am still hoping to crack her so it won't help if she knows how badly I want that darn recipe.
I am not completely disappointed with the outcome. They were tasty and I think with a few modifications they would be really good. However, I guess in my heart even the best of the best won't be the same as moms. On the bright side, I have about 300 dumplings in my freezer which will last us a long time. It's a good thing since I think I got carpal tunnel making them.
Fast forward. I got married. I asked again. She said no. Apparently, she's holding out until I have kids. Sigh. I can never win.
Even though I think she is being mean, I just don't have the heart to tell her we aren't planning on kids. She is after all my mom. So, I spent roughly four hours this weekend trying three different dumpling recipes. Unfortunately I didn't find anything that can compete with hers, but I don't plan on sharing that with her. I am still hoping to crack her so it won't help if she knows how badly I want that darn recipe.
I am not completely disappointed with the outcome. They were tasty and I think with a few modifications they would be really good. However, I guess in my heart even the best of the best won't be the same as moms. On the bright side, I have about 300 dumplings in my freezer which will last us a long time. It's a good thing since I think I got carpal tunnel making them.
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| Blue Bowl - Beef & Pork mixture http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/mandu Green Bowl - Watercress & Tofu mixture http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/watercress-and-tofu-dumplings
White Bowl - Port & Kim Chee mixture
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pork-and-kimchi-dumplings |
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| Pork & Beef mixture - I made this using two types of wrappers and it was much better with the thicker wrapper served with Siracha. Oh yeah. |
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| Watercress & Tofu mixture - The recipe didn't specify which type of tofu. I used soft and it was too watery. A bit bland, but not sure if it was because the other dumplings were much more flavorful. Not a repeat, but the water chestnuts added a nice crunch. |
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| Pork & Kim Chee Mixture - I actually made this before and liked it. I mentally noted the first time that it needed more Kim Chee next time. Memory is a tricky thing because I remembered that mental note after the fact. |
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| This plate is in my freezer...along with his 11 cousins. |