Prawn Potstickers

Ingredients:
cornstarch, for dusting
30 gyoza dumpling or wonton wrappers
2 T peanut oil

* * * * * *

Ingredients for the filling:
8 ounces large shrimp, peeled, deveined and minced
3 T finely chopped fresh Chinese chives (or scallions)
1/8 cup canned water chestnuts, finely diced (about 4 whole)
1 T oyster sauce
1 T Shaohsing rice wine
sea salt and freshly ground white pepper

* * * * * *

Ingredients for dipping sauce:
2 T light soy sauce
2 T clear rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
small handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Preparing the filling:
Mix the shrimp, chives, water chestnuts, oyster sauce and rice wine into a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Squeeze the filling through your fingers so that all the flavors are combined well.

* * * * * *

Preparing the dipping sauce:
Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and cilantro and set aside.

* * * * * *

Preparing the potstickers:
Sprinkle a baking sheet or plate with some cornstarch. Then place a dumpling wrapper in the palm of your hand. Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling in the middle of the dumpling skin. Dip a finger into a water bowl and brush around the rim. Fold half of the wrapper over the filling into a half moon shape, pressing down on the edges to make sure the dumpling wrapper sticks together well. Pleat the edges of the potsticker 4 times, pinching well to secure. Place the potstickers on the prepared baking sheet until ready to cook. [The potstickers can be frozen at this point in an airtight container, then cooked from frozen when desired.]

Heat a wok over medium heat. Cook the potstickers in batches - Don't overcrowd the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and arrange half the potstickers standing up in the oil. Cook, uncovered, until the bottoms are lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water around the edges of the wok, then cover and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the bottoms of the potstickers are crisp and golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Repeat with the next batch.

Serve alongside the dipping sauce.

Makes 24 potstickers