Mellow Yellow Jerk Dumplings
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**Chinese Influence in Jamaican Cuisine: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Mellow Yellow Jerk Dumplings**
Jamaican food culture is rich and diverse, and you can't discuss it without mentioning Chinese cuisine. Chinese migrants from the Hakka community in southern China came to Jamaica, bringing unique culinary traditions that have since become integral to the island’s food culture. Many Hakka migrants originally came to work but eventually stayed, building families and sharing their food and techniques with other cultural groups on the island.
One of the most recognizable contributions of Chinese cuisine to Jamaican food is the use of soy sauce, a staple that adds depth to countless dishes. Tools like the chopping block and cleaver, now synonymous with jerk preparation, also have Chinese origins.
This Lunar New Year, we’re celebrating Chinese influences in Jamaican cuisine with our **Chinese-Jamaican Mellow Yellow Jerk Dumplings!** This recipe uses a flavorful pork and cabbage filling, but feel free to substitute it with a plant-based filling like mushroom and tofu. Our Mellow Yellow Jerk Marinating Sauce, with its ginger and spice notes, pairs beautifully with Asian flavors. Give this recipe a try!
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### Ingredients
- 1 lb napa cabbage, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 lb ground pork (or see vegetarian/vegan suggestion)
- 4 scallions, chopped
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice cooking wine
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 ½ tbsp Mellow Yellow Jerk Marinating Sauce
- 1 pack dumpling wrappers
### Directions
1. **Prepare the Cabbage:** In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage and 1 tbsp sea salt. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes to draw out moisture. After this time, you should see liquid pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Drain off the excess water, then place the cabbage in a kitchen towel and squeeze out any remaining moisture. Discard the water.
2. **Make the Filling:** Return the cabbage to a medium bowl. Add the ground pork and remaining ingredients. Mix everything together thoroughly.
3. **Assemble the Dumplings:** Prepare a small bowl of water for sealing the dumplings. On a clean surface, place one dumpling wrapper down, and spoon about 2 tsp of filling into the center. Dip a finger into the water and trace it around the edge of the wrapper. Carefully fold and pinch the edges together to seal in the filling. Get creative with your folds! Repeat until you’ve made as many dumplings as desired. (Remember, the more dumplings you eat this New Year, the more luck you’ll have!)
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🌱Vegetarian & Vegan Substitute
Replace ground pork with a plant-based option, or sauté 1 lb of your favorite mushrooms (chopped) with ½ lb crumbled tofu, seasoning with salt and pepper. Let the mixture cool completely before combining it with the remaining filling ingredients.
Enjoy this fusion of flavors that celebrates both Jamaican and Chinese culinary traditions!
