The enchanting combination of gummy and crispy dumpling wrappers with delectable fillings is a match made in heaven. When paired with an authentic Asian-inspired sauce, it’s no wonder potstickers are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion – from Valentine’s Day celebrations to Chinese New Year festivities. The fact that they can be shaped into hearts or any other design of your choice only adds to their charm. For a truly unforgettable experience, serve these heart-shaped pork potstickers with a side of your favorite dipping sauce.For a party menu that will surely capture the hearts of your guests, consider pairing these potstickers with other delightful recipes. The rich flavors of Dirty Martini Dip or the sweet and savory notes of Brie Cranberry Bites would make perfect accompaniments. Alternatively, for a birthday celebration, why not try whipping up a Funfetti Birthday Cheesecake to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth?
Why You’ll Love These
Potstickers are a delightful treat, with a harmonious balance between the soft, chewy dumpling wrappers and the savory filling. The combination of ground meat, pork, and dipping sauce is nothing short of exquisite. These bite-sized morsels are perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year, especially when they’re shaped like hearts – making them a visually appealing addition to your social media feeds. And the best part? You can customize them to your liking by using different ground meats, veggies, and seasonings.
How to Make Valentine Potstickers
To complete this dish, start by preparing the dipping sauce according to the printable recipe card. Next, mix together the potsticker filling ingredients. Meanwhile, cut out heart shapes from the wonton wrappers using a cookie cutter. Assemble the potstickers by wetting your finger with water and running it around the edge of each wrapper, adding a small amount of filling, then topping with another wrapper and pressing the edges together to seal the filling inside. Repeat until all are assembled. Pan-fry the potstickers by melting butter and oil in a skillet, adding the dumplings and a splash of water, covering the pan, and cooking for a few minutes before flipping and browning the other side. Finally, serve the golden-brown potstickers with sliced cabbage, green onions, sesame seeds, and the prepared dipping sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to mix things up by swapping the protein with any ground meat, seafood or vegetarian option of your choice. Veggies can be substituted too – add finely chopped carrot, beansprouts, mushrooms, water chestnuts or anything else you like. Fresh ginger is a great addition to homemade dumplings for an extra boost of flavor. For a gluten-free version, make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and wonton wrappers to ensure a wheat-free experience.
How to Store Potstickers
When storing leftover potstickers, make sure to keep them in an airtight container and refrigerate within three days. You can also store the dipping sauce separately in its own container. If you plan ahead, you can even assemble the potstickers before cooking and freeze them for up to three months. This way, you can simply cook them straight from the freezer when you’re ready. Cooking time is relatively quick, so no need to thaw them first. To reheat, either pan-fry in a little oil for a minute or until hot, or heat them up in the microwave.
Top Tips
When preparing potstickers, be mindful of the filling quantity and cooking technique to ensure they cook evenly and retain their shape. To achieve this, don’t overfill them with a generous amount of filling, as excess air can cause the dumplings to split or fall apart during cooking. Instead, aim for a balanced filling-to-dough ratio that allows for a smooth cooking process. Additionally, cook potstickers in batches if necessary, as overcrowding the pot can lead to sticking and uneven cooking. If you find yourself with leftover filling, consider repurposing it into a fried rice or noodle dish, making the most of your ingredients.
Heart Shaped Potstickers FAQs
In Chinese cuisine, potstickers are a beloved snack that has its roots in legend. According to myth, they were accidentally invented during the Song Dynasty when a chef’s dumplings got stuck to the pan and became crispy. The dish quickly gained popularity as street food in Northern China, particularly around Chinese New Year celebrations.
When assembling potstickers, it’s essential to prevent them from drying out before you’ve finished making all of them. One way to achieve this is by covering the completed dumplings with parchment paper on a baking sheet and topping them with a damp clean towel as you work on the rest. This simple trick helps keep the uncooked dumplings hydrated.
When cooking potstickers, you may have noticed that some recipes instruct you to add water to the pan before covering it with a lid. The reason behind this is the heat of the pan turns the water into steam, which aids in even cooking and helps prevent the dumplings from burning or overcooking.
Heart Shaped Pork Potstickers Recipe
Heart Shaped Potstickers Recipe
Bella Bucchiotti shares a delightful idea for making hearts melt on Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year – heart-shaped potstickers! These bite-sized treats are surprisingly easy to prepare and can be served with a delectable dipping sauce, guaranteeing a spot in anyone’s heart. With only 45 minutes of prep time, 10 minutes of cooking time, and serving up to 25 pieces, this recipe is perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Instructions
To prepare the dipping sauce, simply combine all the ingredients in one bowl and mix well. Set it aside for later use. For the filling, combine the chicken, cabbage, white onion parts, egg, soy sauce, seasoned rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper in a separate bowl. Mix everything together thoroughly.
Next, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out each wonton wrapper into a heart shape. Keep the wrappers hydrated by placing a damp paper towel on top of them as you work.
Take one wonton heart and place it in front of you. Dip your finger in water and moisten the edge of the wonton. Fill the center with about a tablespoon of filling, adjusting the amount depending on the size of your wontons.
Place another wonton heart on top of the first, gently pressing the edges together to seal the pot sticker. Repeat this process until all the wontons are filled and sealed.
Before cooking, ensure that you’re keeping the finished pot stickers in a single layer on wax or parchment paper with a damp paper towel on top.
Once all your potstickers are made, add a tablespoon each of oil and butter to a large skillet with a lid over medium-low heat. Let it melt and coat the bottom of the pan.
Carefully lay out the pot stickers along the bottom of the pan, leaving some space between them as they will stick together if overcrowded. Add one tablespoon of water to the pan, then cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
Remove the lid and turn up the burner heat to medium-high. Flip the potstickers when their bottoms start browning, and continue cooking until they’re nicely browned on both sides.
Serve the cooked potstickers on a bed of sliced red cabbage, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve with your prepared dipping sauce.