Irresistible Curried Beef Dumplings: A Pan-Fried Steamed Delight
Embark on a culinary adventure with these remarkable Curried Beef Dumplings, a standout recipe hailing from the celebrated cookbook, Cooking with Love by the delightful Carla Hall. Known for her vibrant personality and comforting approach to food, Carla Hall, a beloved co-host on ABC’s The Chew and a “Fan Favorite” from Bravo’s Top Chef All Stars, brings a unique flair to classic dishes. This recipe perfectly encapsulates her philosophy: creating delicious, soul-satisfying meals that feel like a warm hug.
What truly sets these **homemade beef dumplings** apart is their ingenious preparation method, offering the best of both worlds in dumpling perfection. Imagine the delicate, tender texture of traditional steamed sui mai, harmoniously blended with the irresistible crispiness of pan-fried potstickers. This dual cooking technique results in a dumpling that’s exquisitely tender on top, allowing the rich curry-spiced beef filling to peek through its beautifully fluted, flowery wrapper, while boasting a wonderfully golden, crunchy bottom that provides a delightful textural contrast with every bite. It’s an innovative approach that transforms a simple dumpling into a truly memorable eating experience.
The Magic of Curry: Understanding Yellow Curry Powder in Your Dumplings
The distinctive flavor in these **curry-flavored dumplings** comes from yellow curry powder. This particular blend offers a mild, aromatic warmth, making it approachable for all palates. However, for those who crave a bolder kick, feel free to substitute with a spicier version. Yellow curry powder is not a single spice, but rather a carefully balanced blend, typically featuring a delightful mix of coriander, cumin, turmeric (which gives it its characteristic golden hue), chiles for a touch of heat, mustard seeds, and often other spices like fenugreek, ginger, and black pepper. The beauty of curry powder lies in its versatility and complexity.
While you can certainly craft your own custom blend at home for a truly fresh and personalized taste, high-quality mild or spicy yellow curry powder is readily available at specialty spice shops like The Spice House, or in the international aisle of most supermarkets. Opting for a reputable brand ensures you get a vibrant, fragrant powder that will elevate your **Asian dumpling recipe** to new heights. Always check the freshness date of your curry powder; older spices lose their potency and aroma.
A Global Spice: The Journey of Curry Powder
In America, yellow curry powder is most commonly associated with the rich and diverse cuisine of India. However, the term “curry” itself is a broad descriptor for a spice blend or a dish prepared with such a blend, and its usage spans far beyond the Indian subcontinent. Indeed, curry powders, pastes, and dishes are integral to the culinary traditions across much of Asia, including Southeast Asia and East Asia. The precise ingredients in yellow curry powder can vary regionally, reflecting local tastes and available spices, but the core concept of a complex, aromatic blend remains.
For instance, yellow curry powder is a key component in dishes like Singapore Rice Noodle Stir Fry, a delicious recipe featured in my new book! It also forms the aromatic base for many comforting Chinese curry stews and flavorful noodle soups. Growing up, these **curried beef dumplings** held a special nostalgic resonance for me, reminiscent of my mother’s delectable baked puff triangles, generously filled with ground beef and spiced with yellow curry powder. She often used a brand like S&B Curry Powder, which is popular in Japanese cuisine for its rich, umami-laden profile. When shopping, look for labels such as “Yellow Curry Powder” or “Madras Curry Powder” to find the right blend for these savory dumplings.
Mastering Dumplings: Tips for Success
Creating homemade dumplings might seem daunting, but it’s a deeply rewarding experience that allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize flavors. These **Carla Hall dumplings** are surprisingly straightforward, especially with a few helpful tips:
Choosing the Right Wrappers
The foundation of a great dumpling is its wrapper. For these curried beef dumplings, you have two excellent choices: square, thinner wonton wrappers or slightly thicker, round gyoza dumpling wrappers. Both can be found in the refrigerated or frozen section of most supermarkets, particularly in Asian markets. I highly recommend seeking out the frozen varieties from an Asian market; they tend to have a superior texture – less “doughy” and more pliable – than the refrigerated kinds found near the tofu in standard grocery stores. The right wrapper will hold the filling beautifully and crisp up perfectly when pan-fried.
Preventing Dryness: A Crucial Step
Dumpling wrappers, and assembled dumplings, are notorious for drying out quickly, which can make them crack and difficult to seal or cook. To prevent this, always keep your unused wrappers tightly covered with plastic wrap or a barely damp kitchen towel. Similarly, as you fold each dumpling, place them on a tray and cover them immediately with plastic wrap or a damp towel until you are ready to cook them. This simple step ensures tender, pliable wrappers every time.
The Art of the Dipping Sauce (or Not!)
One of the beauties of these **flavorful curried beef dumplings** is that they are so rich and well-seasoned on their own that a dipping sauce isn’t strictly necessary. The warming curry powder provides a delightful depth of flavor that stands alone. However, if you enjoy a contrasting note, a touch of Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce makes an excellent accompaniment. Its sweet and fruity notes provide a lovely counterpoint to the savory, spiced beef, enhancing the overall experience.
Carla Hall’s Smart Tip: Assembly Line & Freezing
Carla Hall wisely suggests setting up an assembly line when making dumplings. This makes the process much more efficient and enjoyable. Better yet, enlist the help of friends or family! Making dumplings can be a fun communal activity. And here’s the best part: there’s very little difference in effort between making 25 dumplings and 125. Why not make a large batch and freeze some for later? To cook frozen dumplings, simply add them directly to the pan without defrosting and allow an additional 5 minutes of cooking time. This makes them a fantastic make-ahead option for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
Curried Beef Dumplings Recipe Video
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Curried Beef Dumplings
A crucial tip for dumpling success is to prevent them from drying out. Always cover unused wrappers and any freshly folded dumplings with a barely damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap until you are ready to cook. This ensures they remain pliable and easy to handle.
The rich, warming curry powder in these dumplings provides such robust flavor that a dipping sauce isn’t a necessity. However, if you’re looking to add a delightful sweet and fruity contrast, a side of Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce pairs wonderfully.
Carla Hall’s expert advice: Set up an efficient assembly line to make the dumpling-folding process quick and enjoyable. Better yet, invite your kids or friends to help—it’s a fun activity for everyone! Making a larger batch is highly recommended; there’s little extra effort in preparing 125 dumplings versus 25, and the extra ones can be frozen for convenient future meals. When cooking frozen dumplings, there’s no need to defrost them; simply add them to the pan and allow an additional 5 minutes of cooking time. Enjoy these fantastic homemade dumplings!
This delightful recipe is adapted from Carla Hall’s wonderful cookbook, Cooking with Love.
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound lean (90%) ground beef sirloin (for optimal flavor and texture)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (adds a zesty, warm kick)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced (adjust to your preference for garlic intensity)
- 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder (mild or spicy, as desired)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for umami depth)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps bind the filling and retain moisture)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil (for its distinctive nutty aroma)
- 2 large eggs, divided (one for the filling, one for the egg wash)
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (adds sweetness and color)
- 1 stalk green onion, finely chopped (for fresh, mild onion flavor)
- cooking oil, for pan frying (such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil)
- 40 round wonton wrappers or round dumpling wrappers (approximately 3-1/2-inch diameter; ensure they are fresh and pliable)
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, freshly grated ginger, finely minced garlic, vibrant yellow curry powder, savory soy sauce, cornstarch, kosher salt, aromatic dark sesame oil, one of the two large eggs, finely diced red bell pepper, and chopped green onion. Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Ensure the spices and seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture for consistent flavor in every dumpling.
- In a separate, small bowl, crack the remaining egg and add 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk this mixture vigorously until it is well combined and forms a smooth egg wash. This egg wash will be used to seal the dumpling wrappers securely.
- To assemble your dumplings, take one round wonton or dumpling wrapper and place it either in the palm of your hand or flat on a clean work surface. Dip a pastry brush or your fingertip into the egg wash and lightly brush a thin, even layer around the entire edge of the wrapper. Next, scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of the prepared beef mixture into the exact center of the wrapper. Carefully gather the sides of the wrapper upwards, gently pushing them together around the meat mixture to create a beautiful fluted or pleated shape. The goal is to ensure the bottom of the dumpling remains relatively flat so it can stand upright in the pan during cooking.
- Continue this process, repeating the folding steps until all of your wrappers and the flavorful beef filling have been used. As you finish shaping each dumpling, immediately place it on a tray and cover the completed dumplings, along with any unused wrappers, with plastic wrap or a barely damp kitchen towel. This critical step prevents the wrappers from drying out and cracking, ensuring they remain pliable and easy to cook.
- At this stage, your freshly made dumplings are ready to be cooked immediately for a delightful meal. Alternatively, you can freeze them for convenient future use, storing them for up to 1 month. When freezing, arrange the dumplings on a baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Once they are completely frozen solid (this prevents them from sticking together), you can gather them and transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for long-term storage.
- To cook your dumplings, whether fresh or frozen, begin by heating 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large nonstick sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add a batch of dumplings to the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Allow them to cook undisturbed for approximately 2 minutes, or until their bottoms achieve a beautiful, light golden-brown crispness. This initial searing creates that irresistible potsticker-like crust.
- Once the dumpling bottoms are perfectly browned, it’s time to finish cooking them through steaming. For your safety, hold the sauté pan lid like a shield to protect yourself from any potential splatters. Carefully and quickly pour 3-4 tablespoons of water into the pan, then immediately cover it tightly with the lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the dumplings to steam gently. This steaming process ensures the beef filling cooks thoroughly and the top of the wrapper becomes tender. Continue steaming until the dumplings are cooked through and the water has mostly evaporated, which should take approximately 2 minutes for fresh dumplings (add about 5 minutes for frozen dumplings).
- Once cooked, carefully transfer the hot, delicious dumplings to a serving plate. Loosely tent them with a piece of aluminum foil to keep them warm while you cook the remaining batches. Repeat the cooking process with any uncooked dumplings, adding more oil as needed. Serve these delectable Curried Beef Dumplings immediately for the best flavor and texture!