Dumplings are a very popular type of Asian cuisine. Essentially, dumpling is an umbrella term for a plethora of different foods that have been wrapped in dough. The fillings for dumplings vary, but are usually some combination of vegetables and meats. Sometimes dumplings are treated as a dessert and are just plain dough.
So you’ve just made some dumplings in preparation for guests, but no one will be eating them for a couple hours. Many people actually prefer to cook them ahead of time, by freezing and reheating them later. This can be done effectively, but if you have less than a day before the dumplings will be eaten there are a few ways to keep them warm.
Dumplings can be kept warm in a thermos or crockpot. If you are making them far in advance for an event, they can also be frozen and reheated for later consumption. Any of these methods can keep the dumplings as fresh as they were when they were originally prepared.
When you think of a thermos, you probably imagine a beverage inside it. Thermoses are reputable for keeping the temperature of its contents well, usually for multiple hours. This method is best for small quantities of dumplings, as thermoses are not very big.
If you’ve invested in a good thermos, or are planning to, it can be a great use for keeping dumplings warm.To keep hot foods hot in a thermos, the first thing you will want to do is boil some water. Pour it directly into the thermos, then drain it.
The boiling water helps to give the thermos a temperature to retain. After draining, stick some paper towels at the bottom of the thermos to catch the condensation. Then put your dumplings in and they will stay warm.
Using a Crockpot to Keep Dumplings Warm
Not only can you use a crockpot to cook dumplings, but you can also use one to keep them warm and fresh. After cooking your dumplings, layer whatever type of sauce you prefer over them. Then, all you need to do is keep the crockpot at a low temperature to keep the dumplings warm.
Reheating Dumplings
If you’re trying to preserve your dumplings for more than an hour, reheating them is probably your best bet. Many people make large batches of dumplings days in advance, as they can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for long periods of time without losing their taste. Dumplings can easily be reheated, but you must do it cautiously.
When reheating dumplings, it is important that they don’t get overcooked or soggy. To decide how to reheat your dumplings, the main factor is whether they were fried or steamed. If they were fried, steaming them or using an oven is your best bet. If your dumplings were steamed originally, you can use a skillet to reheat them whilst preserving the texture and taste.
Using a Skillet to Reheat Fried Dumplings
For this method, you’ll need a skillet that’s rather large in size and has a thick foundation, along with a glass lid. Having both of these is important because they distribute heat evenly onto the dumplings. You’ll need to use oil generously, but not excessively. The biggest challenge is making sure they don’t get soggy. Here are the steps to take to reheat fried dumplings on a skillet:
First, add some water on the bottom of your skillet. Turn on heat and wait for the water to boil.
Once the water starts boiling, add the dumplings. Then cover the skillet with a lid. If you don’t have a lid, a baking pan will work.
Push all the dumplings to one side of the pan and add a small amount of oil. Let it heat up.
Re-fry the dumplings on a low heat setting after the water and oil have evaporated. Then they can be served immediately.
For beginners, this method may be the best one. Using an oven takes more time, but it’s the best way to ensure that they won’t get soggy.
Preheat your oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grab a baking pan and line it with aluminum foil. Then place the dumplings onto the tray.
Reheat the dumplings, checking every couple of minutes to see if they’re warm. This shouldn’t take more than a total of ten minutes.
Serve dumplings.
Using a Steamer to Reheat Dumplings
Reheating your dumplings in a steamer is another great way to preserve the already steamed dumplings’ texture. If you have access to a steamer, now is the perfect time to put it to use.
Line the layers of the basket with either parchment paper or cabbage leaves. This will help to keep the steamer from absorbing the flavor of the dumplings.
Put dumplings into the layers of your basket, and stack them. Remember to cover with the basket lid when finished, then add a couple inches of water, making sure that the water doesn’t touch the dumplings.
Boil water and place the stack of steamer baskets over a skillet or pot of boiling water. Let the dumplings warm for a few minutes so they can heat thoroughly.
Remove dumplings with tongs carefully and serve.
Final Thoughts
Dumplings are a very popular type of Asian cuisine. Many different type of dumplings exist, but one thing remains true for all of them: they are soft and doughy. If you’re making dumplings but aren’t eating them right away, or find yourself having leftovers, you have many options.
They can easily be stored in a thermos or crock pot until they’re ready to be served, and still hold their original flavor and texture. There are multiple ways to reheat dumplings as well. Dumplings can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for weeks and remain fresh. After they’ve been stored for a while, you can still reheat them and preserve the freshness they originally had.
