Ingredients

1 cup dried agar-agar , loosely packed
2 cups chicken broth , clear
1 cup crabmeat , fresh or frozen . drained on paper towels
4 ounces shrimp , shelled , deveined , cut into pea-sized pieces
4 ounces lean pork , cut into pea-sized pieces
5 dried Chinese mushrooms , soaked in hot water until spongy , stems discarded , caps cut into small squares
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour
1 egg , beaten
cold water
1/4 cup fresh ginger , finely shredded
1/4 cup Chinese red vinegar
2 tablespoons black soy sauce
Crab Soup Dumplings, also known as Xiao Long Bao, are a popular Chinese dish that originated in Shanghai. These bite-sized steamed dumplings contain a juicy filling of crabmeat, shrimp, and pork, and are served with a fragrant dipping sauce of shredded ginger, Chinese red vinegar, and black soy sauce. The key to making these dumplings is in the soup. The agar-agar is used to set the filling into a gelatinous broth that turns to liquid when steamed, giving the dumplings their signature soup-filled appearance. This one-bite-wonder is perfect for any dim sum feast and is a crowd-pleaser for seafood lovers!

Instructions

1.In a small saucepan, bring agar-agar, chicken broth, and 1/4 cup cold water to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2.Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine crabmeat, shrimp, pork, mushrooms, salt, sugar, white pepper, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside.
3.In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour and 1/2 cup cold water. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch circles with a biscuit cutter.
4.Place 1 tablespoon of the crabmeat mixture in the center of each circle. Seal the edges of each circle by pinching the dough together. Place the dumplings in a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper.
5.Bring a pot of water to a boil and set the bamboo steamer on top. Steam the dumplings for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked. Serve immediately, garnished with shredded ginger, Chinese red vinegar, and black soy sauce.

PROS

These Crab Soup Dumplings are packed with flavor and are a classic dim sum dish.

They are healthy, low-carb, and high in protein.

CONS

The agar-agar in the recipe might be hard to find and it can be difficult to work with.

These dumplings are delicate and must be handled with care.
They might fall apart if overcooked or mishandled.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Crabmeat is a great source of lean protein and is low in calories. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, which helps to support healthy nerve function and prevent heart disease. Shrimp is low in fat and calories, and high in protein, selenium, and vitamin B12, which plays a vital role in brain function. The sesame oil used in the recipe contains iron, calcium, and magnesium, which support bone health and reduce inflammation in the body.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.