Shrimp & Pork Dumplings with homemade Chili Oil
There’s something wonderfully about making wontons at home. Folding each little dumpling by hand might takes time, but that’s part of the joy for me after work. Once they’re cooked, the soft wrappers, juicy shrimp-and-pork filling, and a drizzle of sauce make them a bowl of pure comfort.
For me, homemade Chinese chilli oil is essential when having dumplings. Fragrant shallots and garlic fried until golden, smoky chili flakes, a hint of Sichuan pepper—it all comes together in a deep red oil that transforms the wontons from simple to irresistible. I always keep a jar in my kitchen because it’s good on almost everything, but it feels especially right over freshly boiled wontons with any choice of sauce.
🥟 Filling
250g shrimp, roughly chopped
150g ground pork
Season with: soy sauce, salt, ginger, scallions or chives, sesame oil, and a little cornstarch slurry
🌶️ Chili Oil
Fry shallots and garlic in hot oil, then remove them.
In a bowl, mix equal parts: fine Chinese chili powder, dried chili flakes, Sichuan pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
Pour the hot oil over the chili mix, then add back the fried shallots and garlic.
🍜 Cooking
Boil fresh wontons in water for about 8 minutes—when they float, they’re ready.
🥣 Sauce
Mix peanut butter (or peanut paste), tahini, and Chinese black vinegar. Pour the hot sauce over the cooked wontons, then drizzle with homemade chili oil.
