Dumplings for New Year's

Ingredients

• 1 small head Napa cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed and finely chopped
• 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/3 pound garlic chives, trimmed and minced
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, plus more for sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine, or sake
• 2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, plus more for dusting
• 40 round dumpling or gyoza skins
• 2 tablespoons safflower oil, plus more if needed
• 2 1/4 cups water

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine cabbage and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss to combine. Let stand, at room temperature, for about 1 hour. Squeeze liquid from cabbage, and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add pork, chives, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, ginger, cornstarch, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Combine thoroughly using your hands or a wooden spoon. The mixture should be thick and rather sticky.
3. Lightly dust a baking sheet with cornstarch. Place about 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling in the center of a dumpling skin. Use your finger or a pastry brush to moisten edge of dumpling skin with water. Fold skin over filling to form a half-moon shape. Press edges to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and dumpling skins.
4. To make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and remaining 1/2 cup soy sauce. If desired, add a little sesame oil; set aside.
5. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of safflower oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the dumplings, folded edge down, placing close together so they stand up, and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a moderate boil, and cook until skins are translucent and filling is cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes.
6. Uncover, and allow liquid to evaporate. Loosen dumplings from pan with a spatula, adding a small amount of safflower oil, if necessary. Continue cooking until bottoms of dumplings re-crisp, about 1 minute more. Turn out onto a serving platter. Repeat with remaining oil, dumplings, and water. Serve hot with dipping sauce.