Spring Lamb Pan-Fried Dumplings

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

A minty dipping sauce perfectly complements Chef John's latest appetizer-pan-fried dumplings stuffed with a rich lamb and pea filling.

Ingredients

1 pound ground lamb
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons finely diced Fresno chile pepper
1/4 cup green peas, or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons finely sliced fresh mint, or to taste
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon water
36 wonton wrappers
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed

Directions

1 Combine lamb, garlic, green onions, chile pepper, peas, salt, pepper, cayenne, and cumin in a bowl. Mix with 2 forks, starting on the surface of the mixture, until ingredients are evenly combined. Wrap in plastic and chill for 3 hours, or up to overnight.
2 Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, and mint together in a bowl for dipping sauce. Refrigerate until needed.
3 Combine beaten egg and water in a small bowl. Brush the edges of a wonton wrapper with some of the egg wash. Drop 2 to 3 teaspoons of filling in the center. Fold over and press edges together while squeezing out any air bubbles. Continue with remaining wrappers and filling. Let rest for about 10 minutes.
4 Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Fry batches of dumplings in the hot butter until meat is no longer pink and dumplings are golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Serve with dipping sauce.