These delicious delicacies can be round or crescent-shaped, steamed or fried. This dish was created a long time ago in China during the Sung Dynasty. It has been a favorite not just in China but, in other countries as well. Chinese dumplings are usually stuffed with vegetables and meat, and can be eaten alone or with other dishes. Steamed dumplings are great with noodles too. Read on to learn how to make Chinese dumplings.

• Do not stuff too much filling into the wrapper to prevent it from tearing apart.

• You can use other vegetables like celery, mushroom as well as onions

• You can prepare you dumplings ahead of time. Just keep them in the refrigerator then cook anytime you want.

• The best way to have fried dumplings is by frying them after they are either steamed or boiled to make sure that the filling is well cooked.

Do you want to create this sumptuous dish in the comfort of your own home? It's easy. You don't have to go to a restaurant to get your own Chinese dumplings. The process is simple, and you do not need to be an experienced chef to master this recipe.

To start this recipe, here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Dumpling wraps (you can also use wanton wrappers for an alternative)
• Minced / ground shrimp, pork or beef or lamb
• Shredded Napa cabbage
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sesame oil
• Balm, a green vegetable also know as ? in Chinese or Japanese.
• Tai bai fen (this is a cooking starch made from potatoes or cassava; possible alternatives for this are arrowroot powder or corn starch)

Mix cabbage and meat together. Using a spatula or your own hand, mix the two thoroughly. Usually, shrimp, pork and lamb are most often used in dumplings, but beef, chicken, turkey and even goat meat can also be alternatives for the usual pork and lamb.

When the shredded cabbage and ground meat are combined, put in balm, salt, and tai bai fen, then mix again. This will add flavor. Be sure to evenly distribute seasonings. You can add tai bai fen again after 10 minutes of mixing if desired.

You are now ready to begin wrapping the mixture. Place up to 1 tablespoon of mixture into the wrapper, and fold it in half, creating a crescent shape. Then wet the edge to make it stick to the other end.

There are many ways of cooking the dumplings, if you want them crispy and crunchy, deep fry until golden brown. You can also steam them. You can also use a Chinese method called the "3 boil method." This is done by putting dumplings in boiling water. When it comes to a boil again, add 1 - 2 cups of water, then repeat three times.

Serve immediately with soy sauce with lemon or lime. You may also wish to serve with noodles. They go particularly well with wanton noodles.