Gyoza

Gyoza (g-yoh-zuh) are more commonly known as "potstickers." That word, however, is not uttered in our family, lest the offending speaker receive dirty looks and snarky comments from my older brother, the Sensei. He acquired this recipe during his two year mission in Japan, during which he became fluent in the language and an expert on the culture. Upon his return, he shared the gyoza recipe with our family, and it has become a commonly requested and prepared dish. You will never want to buy gyoza from the store/restaurant again because these are so fun to make and are so incredibly delicious! Although the Sensei says they're really supposed to be more of a side dish (a mere technicality), they usually end up being our main dish.

Filling:

4 Eggs

1 1/4- 1 1/3 lbs Ground Meat (beef/pork)

1/2 Head Chinese Cabbage
1-2 Green Onions

2 tsp Salt

1/4 C Rice or Grape Wine

1 T Freshly Grated Ginger

1-2 Cloves Garlic

2 T Sesame Oil

Skins:

It's easiest to buy a package of gyoza skins. If you're feeling especially ambitious, email for the recipe and directions.

1. Chop the vegetable very very finely. Mix all the filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Drain extra liquid.

2. Place a small portion of meat mixture into the center of a skin. Wet edges and pinch the outside edge closed in a pleated fashion. The result should be half-moon-shaped.

3. Pour 1-2 T sesame oil in the bottom of a large pan. Put gyoza into the pan (they fit nicely when nested next to each other). Turn on medium heat and wait for them to start sizzling. Then add 1/4 C water and cover with a lid. After the skins look cooked uncover and let the water evaporate. The gyoza should be brown on the bottom, not burned.

4. Serve and dip in soy sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce/rice vinegar mix, or some sort of spice.

*Note: According to very strict Japanese law (read the Sensei's law which he enforces in our family), one must use chopsticks while eating gyoza and must never ever ever stab a gyoza with the chopsticks. These offenses are punishable by death. Or more snarky comments.

Mahlzeit!

-Coriaunty