Gluten-free dumplings...did I just say gluten-free dumplings. Why yes! Feel Good Foods has created a 'first of its kind" frozen product line of handmade Asian style dumplings that includes dipping sauce and doesn't include MSG, preservatives or artificial flavor. The dumplings are available in: shrimp, pork, chicken and vegetable and come eight to a box.
The instructions on the box seem easy enough, but my first four dumplings were a disaster. After we were lucky enough to meet one of the owners of the company at Expo West, we were informed that a crucial step was left off of the preparation instructions: seal pan with lid when steaming. Seems simple enough, but if you don't use a lid, the dumplings don't get steamed and the water doesn't evaporate fully, which can cause them to stick to the pan and have a gummy texture.
Armed with this new information, I got back from Expo West and cooked the four remaining shrimp dumplings with absolute success! We left them in the pan to fry after all of the water had evaporated. This gets the dumplings brown and slightly crunchy on the outside, which is the perfect texture for me.
The dumplings are loaded with flavor and they are not too salty, which was a concern for me. The texture of the dumplings is just wonderful (when cooked correctly) and doesn't fall apart or have any type of aftertaste. My only request would be to add more filling. I found the shrimp didn't quite make it to the ends of the dumpling.
These dumplings (chicken and vegetable) can be purchased at Return to Eden for $7.49 per box, which is less than you can buy them for online or at your local health food store. I will always keep this one item in my pantry for snacks for sporting events, entertaining and to have for lunch with a salad.
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