Reunion Dumpling 🥟
‘REUNION DUMPLING’ 🥟
“There is a dragon joining the family in making dumplings. It's just that…his dumpling is a unique one!”
The dumpling is the star attraction of the reunion dinner. It's like you can't have a dinner without dumplings. The dumplings are made on the eve of the Spring Festival, so-called 'reunion dumplings' are considered a symbol for happiness and joy. Many would also say that other foods taste better, but the dumpling is the only food that can represent the core of the harmony and tolerance.
The dumpling, with its thin skin and minced filling, is suitable for anyone. Eating dumplings has a whole family, therefore it shows respect to the elderly and consideration to the children.
‘Reunion Dumpling’ Sketching Process
Painting Process
Material & Process
Sketches: I like using 14B pencil to sketch and adhesive spray to seal the drawing and protect the drawing from fading.
Painting: I used HIMI MIYA gouache and colored pencil to add details and texture.
To complete the artwork: digital retouch and color grade.
How to Make Dumpling
KNEAD DOUGH
Knead the dough to make the cases. Dough consist of dumpling flour and water. After a few steps of rolling the dough, cut it into 2cm pieces.
MEAT & VEGETABLE FILLING
The filling is the key to the taste. Ingredient included streaky pork, one onion, minced ginger, yellow rice wine, soy beans, half a cabbage, and sesame oil.
WRAP THE FILLING IN THE DOUGH
Roll each piece of dough into a round dumpling case. Roll it flat in round shape until is about 6cm in diameter.
Place a spoonful of filling in the center of the dough case and wrap it up. Press and pinch the edge of the dumpling together.
STEAMED & DUMPLINGS ARE READY
To cook the dumplings, put them inside bamboo pot and place on a pot of boiling water, cover and bring back to the boil. When the water is boiling again, add a bowl of cold water to the pot and bring back to the boil again. When the water is boiling for a third time, the dumplings are cooked.
Check out dumpling recipe and others source of information in the ‘Chinese Spring Festival - Journey Home & Celebrations’ by He Beijian/ Translated by Liu Yi & Zhang Xianguo below.
Chinese Spring Festival - Journey Home & Celebrations.
Credit to He Beijian / Translated by Liu Yi & Zhang Xianguo for the fruitful source of information. Best to check out the book, it’s very interesting culture and I did learn a lot about their dumplings making especially.