Did you know?
Modak is an Indian sweet dumpling. A popular kind has a soft rice-flour cover filled with grated coconut and jaggery, and is steamed. It is a favourite offering during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Soup dumplings from China, called xiaolongbao, have soup inside! Cooks tuck in a piece of jelly made from broth. When the dumplings are steamed, the jelly melts into soup.
In northern China, families eat jiaozi dumplings at Chinese New Year. Their shape looks like old gold and silver bars, so they stand for good luck. Some cooks even hide a coin inside!
Try this: Dumpling Shapes Workshop
Do this with an adult
With an adult, knead a small ball of atta (wheat flour) with a little water, or use play dough. Roll it into small flat circles. Now try three shapes: fold one in half to make a half-moon, pinch the edges of another into a pouch, and gather the top of a third into a point like a modak. Which shape was the easiest?
Go further: Dumpling Cousins
Gyoza are Japan's version of Chinese jiaozi. They usually have thinner wrappers and a garlicky taste, and the most popular way to cook them is pan-frying. Many dumplings around the world are cousins like this. When people travel, they carry recipes with them, and each place adds its own twist. Ask your family which dumpling-like foods are made in your region!