Last week I was watching “Martha Bakes” on the PBS Create channel and I learned something about myself — one of my favorite kitchen habits has a fancy name! Mise en place is French for “everything in its place.” When I am about to create something to eat, I place all the ingredients on the counter to make sure they are handy and that I don’t have to stop and run to the store for something I don’t have on hand. Of course, beans are one of the most versatile ingredients in my mise en place.
If you haven’t made pot stickers before because you thought they were too difficult, it’s time to put that fear aside. These are sure to impress your family and friends. Make sure you have everything mise en place before you start!
Bean Pot Stickers
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground pork
2 cups cooked*, drained red kidney or pink beans or one 16 ounce can, drained
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
1/3 cup diagonally sliced green onions
1 tablespoon each soy sauce and sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
One package gyoza or won ton wrappers (approximately 50 wrappers), thawed if necessary
Oil (optional)
Pot Sticker Dipping Sauce (recipe below)
Directions:
Combine pork, beans, water chestnuts, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger root, and cilantro; mix thoroughly.
Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. (If using won ton wrappers, cut off corners to make round wrappers.)
Moisten edges with water and seal by pinching together to form dumpling.
Brown several dumplings in non-stick skillet in small amount of oil, if desired. Add ¼ cup water; cover and cook on low about five minutes.
Remove to serving platter. Repeat with remaining dumplings.
Serve with Pot Sticker Dipping Sauce. Makes about 50 pot stickers.
Pot Sticker Dipping Sauce
Combine 1/4 cup each rice vinegar and soy sauce, two teaspoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Makes about 1/2 cup dipping sauce.
*For best results, soak and cook dry beans by your preferred method.
