Fast Foods: Frozen Dumplings

Sometimes we are too busy or too lazy to cook a proper meal from scratch. Frozen foods are probably our next best choice after fresh ones. They can last for weeks when kept inside the freezer compartment. For this month, I have bought a packet of frozen Chives Dumplings for cases of "Emergency". One packet usually have about 20 - 30 pieces of dumplings and it would take me about 4 - 5 meals to finish all of them. They taste just fine for most of the brands available in supermarkets but would definitely not be as good as freshly made ones. 

Today I wasn't feeling well so decided to open the packet of frozen dumplings and cook a bowl of hot dumplings soup. It was comforting and the quantity and taste were just right. And it's time for a short, happy nap.

Easy Dumplings in Cabbage Soup

The Ingredients 

Dumplings in Cabbage Soup (Serves 1)

Main Ingredients

6 pieces Frozen Dumplings (do not thaw)

2 Cabbage Leaves (coarsely sliced) 

Side Ingredients

1 handful Dried Ikan Bilis (washed clean)

2 - 3 stalks Spring Onions (separate white and green portions, slice thinly for both)

6 slices Raw Ginger (slice into strips for 3 pieces, set aside the other 3 pieces)

Seasoning

Few dashes of Ground White Pepper

2 tsps Mushroom Sauce / Light Soy Sauce

1 tsps Sesame Oil

Dip

1 tbsp Black / Red Vinegar

Frying Condiment

2 tsps Grapeseed Oil

Steps for cooking Frozen Dumplings

1. Boil a pot of water 

2. Put the Frozen Dumplings into boiling water to cook till they float (approx. 5 minutes)

3. Drain the cooked Dumplings into a clean bowl, drizzle and mix in Sesame Oil, set aside

Steps for cooking Soup base

1. Heat Oil in a wok using medium heat

2. Add Ikan Bilis, Spring Onions (white portion), and Ginger (non-strips) to stir fry till fragrant

3. Pour 2 chinabowls of Water into the wok, cover lid and boil for 5 minutes 

4. Next, add sliced Cabbage into soup, cover lid and boil for another 1 minute using low heat

5. Add Mushroom Sauce and sprinkle Ground White Pepper into soup, stir well

6. Off the heat and pour soup into the bowl of Frozen Dumplings

7. Serve dish with Ginger Strips mixed in Vinegar as dip sauce