Sunday Snapshot - "Red"

January 27, 2013

Chopsticks in the window SL BLOG
Yesterday, I had to go over to "2 Hip Chics" to open some canvases that arrived earlier in the week.
On friday night, the town where the store/studio is located is having a Snow Ball to pay tribute to local artists and I am one of the artists featured, so we will be serving wine and cheese for all of our fellow art lovers who will be walking through the store/studio to see some of my work.

Reags Year of the Snake BLOG
While we were there, and the light was beaming into the studio space so beautifully, I decided to do our Chinese New Year photos. Reags looks good in so many colors because of her beautiful dark features, but I think Red is definitely the one color that stands out from the rest.

Chopsticks and Lanterns BLOG
I purchased paper lanterns at Party City for a little something extra to break up all the white in the space.

Going into the box for a treat Chopsticks2 SL BLOG
And gave her a fancy pair of chopsticks with a Chinese take out box(also purchased at Party City) filled with some goodies.
She had a lot of fun.....I did not have time to go through all of the pics yet, but you will see some silly shots later in the week. Just thought I would just post a few today.

It has been three years since I have attempted cooking the food for our Chinese New Year celebration and I think this year we are going to tackle the Asian Dumplings again. I made them in 2010, just a few months before we received Reagan's photo......but have not made them since. I spoke with my Mom and she said she was willing to help out this year if I wanted to cook them. They are A LOT of work, but oh my heavens, they are really good. I went back in the archives to find the photo I took back in 2010 and figured I would post the recipe for anyone that wants to try them out this year. If you do, you have to let me know what you think! My family raved about them when I cooked them the last time.
Dumplings BLOG

Asian Dumplings

Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
up to 1 1/4 cups cold water
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
1 cup ground pork or beef
1 TBSP soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 TBSP Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, or to taste
3 TBSP sesame oil
1/2 green onion, finely minced
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage
4 tablespoons diced water chestnuts
4 tablespoons diced carrots
2 slices fresh ginger, finely minced
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced

Preparation:
Stir the salt into the flour. Slowly stir in the cold water, adding as much as is necessary to form a smooth dough. Don't add more water than is ncessary. Knead the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

While the dough is resting, prepare the filling ingredients. Add the soy sauce, salt, rice wine and white pepper to the meat, stirring in only one direction. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring in the same direction, and mix well.

To make the dumpling dough: knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Divide the dough into 60 pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle about 3-inches in diameter.

Place a small portion (about 1 level tablespoon) of the filling into the middle of each wrapper. Wet the edges of the dumpling with water. Fold the dough over the filling into a half moon shape and pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the remainder of the dumplings.

To cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add half the dumplings, giving them a gentle stir so they don't stick together. Bring the water to a boil, and add 1/2 cup of cold water. Cover and repeat. When the dumplings come to a boil for a third time, they are ready. Drain and remove. If desired, they can be pan-fried at this point.

Dipping Sauce:

2 TBSP of Soy Sauce
1 TBSP of Rice Wine Vinegar
1/4 tsp of minced garlic
1/4 tsp of minced ginger root
1/2 tsp of sugar
4-8 drops of Hot Chili Oil


Ni Hao Yall
To see more Sunday Snapshots, head on over to visit my friend Stef!

24 comments:

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

Congratulations on being a featured artist and being recognized in your community. That is amazing!

These pictures of your girl are beyond lovely! She seems to be really grown lately!

I remember this picture of the dumpling. Oh my lordy I want one!

Have a great week.

lea
xo

Anonymous said...

Fabulous pictures as always! Red is definitely her color!

Shari said...

Lisa,
These are glorious!
Amelia has made Chinese food at her class a couple of times and it's been delicious. I'm waiting for my niece to come home in just a few months and maybe we can make dumplings for the whole clan - I think she's become a pro.
Awesome that you are being honored in your community of artists. You must take photos of the canvases and post them...I would love to get a peak.
Happy Sunday:)

Michelle said...

My girls look gorgeous in red, too!! Fantastic pictures of your beautiful little girl!

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

Gorgeous images in red! and the dress is so so sweet. (I'm still hunting around the internet to find something with a similar skirt.) Sooooo pretty she is in her silks!
nancy

Unknown said...

Oh what a beautiful series. Your daughter is simply too too cute and the pops of red are so festive. Happy Year of the Snake !

Margie S (Nihao, Cupcake!) said...

First time to your blog (I think) and your photos of your daughter are beautiful. I lived 4 years in Beijing and volunteered once a week at an orphanage. I so LOVE to see pictures of adopted children and the wonderful lives they get to lead with their LOVING families. Love so changes these amazing kids. It is an amazing gift to see. Thank you!

Laurie said...

Beautiful-R is getting so big!

Congratulations on being honored. You should show us a few photos of what your studio/display space looks like.

Amy said...

Stunning as usual! Love this series & can't wait to see more!! Congrats!!

kristinvald said...

Wow....these are beautiful, I just loooove the red :-)

jade said...

She's beautiful Lisa. And so are your heart and your pictures.
Kind regards

Martha said...

love these chinese new year photos. I've got to try your recipe.

amy said...

Beautiful Reagan in her red dress...definitely her color! Congratulations on being one of the artists recognized...wish I were close enough to come see all your amazing work on display but I'll just have to wait until April :)) Hope it is a huge success!

Thank you for the recipe...may give it a try this year!

Your photography and creativity always inspire me, friend.

xoxo
amy

Unknown said...

oh Lisa, these photos of Raegan are just gorgeous!! The light is amazing and her red pops so beautifully against the white!! How awesome that you are a featured artist! Congratulations!!

Those dumplings look incredible!! I may have to give them a try! I had a roommate from China for two years when I was in college. She made the BEST dumplings! Everytime she made them, I couldn't help myself from asking her to share!

Michelle R Photography said...

Oh my, these are gorgeous and Reagan looks adorable!! Love the use of the lanterns. And a big congratulations on being one of the featured artists!! Woo hoo!!!!!!

xoxo,
Michelle

Virginia said...

She does look beautiful in red. I love it on Kerry, too..they have very similar coloring. Congratulations on being chosen a featured artist, though I can easily see why you would be!

Gin =)

Unknown said...

LOVE those lanterns...and Reagan is precious.

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos! What a beautiful Chinese princess you have! Funny I just spent a good half and hour looking for a dumpling receipe and then just looked at your blog! I am going to try them for Mr Andrew and Katie!12

likeschocolate said...

Lovely Photos!

Amy said...

These are some really beautiful photos!

snekcip said...

Although I saw and commented these on fb/instagram these are WORTH more commentary!! Absolutely HEAVENLY!!! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!!


PS The dumplings looks YUMMY! I'm not even gonna ATTEMPT to make them!! LOL!!! I would so mess them up!! I'm gonna admire from afar!!

Andy and Sheryl said...

Such a beauty! I'm thinking of attempting some CNY photos with my Lucy! Would be my first "shoot" with her...or anyone for that matter :) Anyway, I'm wondering, how long does it take you to make these dumplings (with one helping hand), and how many would you say 60 will feed?

Jenny said...

mmmm dumplings. gah now i have to get some for dinner. LOVE THOSE!!

Lindsey said...

I had bookmarked this recipe and finally made these dumplings today. They took a few hours to make (mostly because I am a novice dumpling maker), but boy were they delicious! This recipe is a keeper, thank you for sharing it!