Pork-Kimchi Dumplings

Wrapping dumplings is a difficult skill that I'm glad to have acquired a long time ago. Recently I've been watching some korean dramas with my mother, and they talk so much about kimchi.. dumplings... it's made me hungry and craving. 

So I decided to make these! Kimchi-Pork Dumplings. 

DUMPLINGS

10 ounces ground pork

2 scallions, minced

1/3 cup finely chopped drained kimchi

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup firm tofu, finely chopped

30 round wonton wrappers

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons canola oil

MAKE THE DUMPLINGS

In a bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the wrappers, cornstarch and oil. Arrange 4 wrappers on a work surface; keep the rest covered with a damp paper towel. Brush the edges of the wrappers with water and drop 1 tablespoon of the filling in the centers. Fold over one side of the wrapper to form a half moon, pressing the edges together. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap; assemble the remaining dumplings.

In a bowl, stir the cornstarch with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in an 8-inch nonstick skillet. Arrange 10 dumplings around the edge of the skillet, overlapping slightly (there should be almost no empty space). Cook over moderate heat until golden on the bottom. Drizzle one-third of the slurry over and around the dumplings, cover the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Uncover and cook until the dumplings are cooked through and the slurry forms a thin crust, 4 minutes. Carefully invert the dumpling pancake onto a plate. Repeat to make 2 more pancakes. Serve with the dipping sauce.

MAKE AHEAD The uncooked dumplings can be refrigerated for 4 hours or frozen for up to 1 month; allow additional cooking time if starting with frozen dumplings.