The Restaurant Technique That Gives Frozen Dumplings The Perfect Crunch

When it comes to go-to, easy foods from the freezer section worth stocking up on, frozen dumplings are a great choice. Though there may be some debate on the best and worst store-bought frozen dumplings, these two-bite delicacies can be upgraded in a flash. This meal can be elevated with a homemade sauce or by adding them into a salad or stew. But in order to bring this frozen food up to restaurant quality, you'll want to finish frying them with a crispy dumpling skirt (otherwise known as dumpling lace). 

To understand what a dumpling skirt is, you'll first want to note the difference between a roux and a slurry. Both are used in many different cooking methods, but this recipe calls for the latter. This culinary term refers to a watery paste that is often used to thicken soups and sauces. The mixture is made by combining all-purpose flour with salt, water, and cornstarch. But differently from a roux, this component can be incorporated at any time and will add a visually appealing, crunchy outer later to your pan-fried dumplings.

Much of the excitement which surrounds eating out comes from the presentation of your food. Which is why restaurants often take extra care to artfully display your meals with interesting garnishes, like a dumpling skirt. Though the process of making one may sound intimidating, it only takes about five minutes that you would've spent searing your dumplings anyway. You just need to note some simple steps in order to craft your own version of this restaurant-caliber dish at home

Before you begin crafting your dumpling skirt, you'll want to make sure that your dumplings are cooked all the way through. You can do so by prepping a hot pan with a little oil — ensuring that you flip your dumplings once each has first developed a slight golden brown color. It's best to use nonstick cookware to make this process a bit easier. After you're satisfied with their appearance, lower the heat slightly and carefully pour your slurry over them, watching out for oil splatters.

Properly spacing out your dumplings is very important, and you'll want to make sure they're evenly distanced from one another. Allowing room between will ensure your slurry spreads evenly and crisps up properly. The slurry should flatten against the bottom of the pan, encasing the edges of each dumpling uniformly. The dumpling skirt will firm up with a lid overtop, but overly high heat can cause the dumplings to burn, so make sure to keep an eye on the pan as they cook for the next several minutes. In order to avoid the risk of the skirt coming out mushy, make sure you remember to lift the lid off once the dumplings are almost finished cooking — this way, the remaining liquid will evaporate as they finish cooking.

Once golden and crispy, the dressed dumplings are easiest to remove by placing a plate over the pan's contents and flipping. Your final result will present the lacy dumpling skirt face up. This recipe add-on does wonders to upgrade your standard at-home dumpling meal. Adding crunch, texture, and restaurant level presentation that you'll have a hard time skipping the next time you sift through your freezer. And if you're looking for another viral must-try frozen dumpling comfort meal, try a dumpling casserole.