Prawn and water chestnut dumplings

Okay so I totally made this up, and luckily it worked.

I was inspired by prawn hargow, but also had to use up some mushrooms I had and a tin of water chestnuts - I know, random.

I didn't have the ingredients (or the time) to make tapioca wrappers by scratch, so I used rice paper roll wrappers instead and I have to say, it worked just fine!

Prep time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 2 mins

Serves: 2 (8 pieces)

Ingredients

4 large prawns, minced

2cm garlic, finely chopped

1 large garlic, finely chopped

1 shiitake mushroom, finely chopped

2 small king oyster mushrooms, finely chopped

1 spring onion, whites finely chopped

4 water chestnuts, finely chopped

1 tsp corn starch

1 tsp sesame seeds

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp oyster sauce

1/2 tsp salt

4 rice paper roll wrappers, cut in half

Olive oil spray

Sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tbsp vinegar

1 tsp mirin

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp chili flakes

Method

1. Finely chop your mushrooms, then spray a saucepan with olive oil cook on high heat with the garlic, ginger, garlic, garlic powder, white pepper, sesame seeds and a pinch of salt at the very end.

2. Once cooked, place in a bowl.

3. Take the water chestnuts, and finely chop them before adding them to the mushrooms.

4. Devein the prawns, and chop them until finely minced, adding them to the bowl with the spring onion, corn starch, salt, and oyster sauce. Mix well and add a pinch of salt for good measure.

5. Take two plates, one filled with hot water, and one sprayed with olive oil.

6. Cut the rice paper wrapper in half, and soften one half in the hot water before placing on the oiled plate.

7. Place a teaspoon of the filling mixture into the center of the wrapper, before bringing all the edges upwards in the center and twisting them at the top so it seals. It should look like a little Santa sack.

8. Repeat until the mixture is finished, lightly moisten all the dumplings with water, then place in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until the prawn turns pink in the wrappers to mark its cooked.

9. While the dumplings are in the microwave, mix your sauce ingredients together, and serve with the dumplings.

Notes

• Change the prawns for smashed firm tofu for a vegetarian option.

• Steam them in a bamboo steamer instead of the microwave if you have one, I dont have one so thats why I used the microwave. If you have a steamer you won't need to moisten the dumplings before steaming like you do with the microwave.

• Dont forget to spray your plate for dumpling wrapping...it stops the dumplings from sticking and ripping apart on the plate.