xiao long bao

So, there is a culinary lack in DC. Well, there are a few, but this one is specific. Shanghai Soup Dumplings. They don't exist here. In new york, you can sit down and gorge yourself on them for about 50 cents apiece. This is insane. Also, it is not possible to eat enough of them to come back sated. No, you eat an entire steamer of dumplings, and the next morning you just want more. The dumplings are little pork explosions of flavour. The filling is paired with a gelled aspic, that when steamed turns into soup... inside the dumpling. It is miraculous. It's difficult to eat (don't drip! don't slurp! don't burn yourself!), but oh so rewarding.

So, of course... I've been looking at recipes.

There are many components to the full experience. There is the soup that is made into aspic. There is the filling. Then there is the dough. And finally, the dipping sauce. No wonder no place around here makes them.

( no, I haven't tried this yet )