Tuesday 3 September 2013

Itchin' for a new kitchen


Think that title is good? You should hear me freestyle ;)

So part of what made us (mostly me) fall in love with our house was the kitchen. Exhibit A:


Wait! Just hear me out. 

The kitchens in the houses we saw seemed to fall into two categories: Kitchens that needed complete overhauls or kitchens that had already been updated but not in our style; the former would cost us way too much money and the latter would cost me too much guilt: I couldn't justify renovating a perfectly decent kitchen, especially one that other people would think was just lovely. 

So this one. This one was smack dab in the middle of yuck and ugly. The cupboards are decent: they just need some new paint and handles put in a spot that makes sense (what were those people thinking?). The configuration was the coveted work triangle and that window over the sink - perfection. But look more closely at the counter/backsplash...

It's 2x2 tiles. TILES! The idea of putting food or rolling dough out on those counters, getting food into those grout lines totally grossed me out (I'm sounding like Kimmie Gibbler now). The hygiene of them combined with the fact that they were just plain ugly made the decision easy: those counters had to go!

And then once that decision was made my mind, and my Pinterest button, went absolutely berserk. 

I'm sure everyone has already seen this gorgeous kitchen makeover by Sarah at Smitten Studio after it was posted on A Cup of Jo, but it has my heart so I had to share. Everything about it is perfect: the butcher block counters, the subway tile, the open shelves, that apron sink! 

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Beth's home is a great inspiration for me. She renovated her kitchen on a budget by painting her lower cabinet and then installing just new upper cabinets from IKEA. The mix of traditional and modern makes me swoon. Also, globe pendant.

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Oh open shelves, how I love thee. I like how these ones pick up the warmth of the countertops and bring that look upward. Again, mixing the natural material of the wood with ultra-modern high gloss is genius - love it. 


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Wood floors, which cabinets, slight contrast with the white subway tiles and grout colour AND open shelves? This kitchen has it all.


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I'm loving the high contrast tile and grout in Daniel's new kitchen. Not only does it look great, but it's way easier to keep clean. When my pot of tomato sauce bubbles and hits the backsplash I can be sure it won't stain the grout. 


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We definitely won't be able to afford marble countertops, and this kitchen is a little too traditional for my liking, but it is quite the classy space. A girl can admire. 

And that's that - I'll be sure to share updates on our reno soon!

xo julia

Friday 30 August 2013

Holy Shit We Bought a House!

Let's all just pretend I'm not the most inconsistent blogger on the Internet.

This summer has been a busy one. And while I usually feel like "busy" is just a terrible excuse for anything (because who isn't busy), I promise you, I was bu-sy.

You see, James (the husband) and I have been busy wading through the Toronto real estate market.

I'll break down how that goes:

Set budget
Realize that budget won't get you much in Toronto
Realize that budget won't get you anything in dream neighbourhoods/neighbourhoods you ever go to
Come to terms with it
Check out the 20 MLS listings sent by realtor daily
Visit about 10-12 houses a week
Try not to cry
Find amazing home
Go into 17-way bidding war (no, that is not a typo - there were 17 other offers)
Come in second place
Actually cry
Find out other house you love didn't sell on listing day
Put in offer
Cry (the happy tears)

Here's our little home - a 1926 red brick semi

All in all though, it wasn't half bad. We'd heard stories of buyers hunting for months and months looking for the "perfect" home, losing out on several bidding wars and then finally finding "The One" 8 months after first shaking their realtor's hand.

Us? We met our realtor and signed over the offer within 1 month. And agreed to a 1 month closing date.

Yep - that's us. When we decided we want something we do it/get it right away. Our first home took a short 2 months to become ours, and we couldn't be happier. Our house is just the right size for us, in a neighbourhood that's quite close to the action (I can still bike to work, restaurants, friends' pads), had a garage (major bonus) and enough of a yard to host summer dinner parties al fresco.

We're doing a few renovations here and there - nothing major. Ok, a little major will be going on in the kitchen. All of it should be done within the next couple of weeks, so I'll be sharing little snippets of what we've done along the way.

Now, I'm off to Home Depot for the 127th time.

xxo j

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Thieves and Bandits


You know what? I'm terrible at sticking to a schedule.

I'm 3 Joy Juices behind and I'm getting thirsty.

BUT, I'm not going to feel bad about it - because the sweet little P.S. at the bottom of my past email told me not to fret if I fall behind or need to skip a couple. Which left me feeling relieved and a little bit how does she know?!

No seriously. How?

Now, let's pick up where I left off last.

Here's my question:

What can I do in my current situation to be more joyful? To fully engage in my life just as it is?

Is it giving back? Is it pushing a boundary? Is it immersing myself in my creativity? Is it practicing self-love?

So, I thought about this for about 90 seconds before the siren call of the internet distracted me and I started clicking around the web again. I have the attention span of a goldfish. A goldfish with an iPhone. So I was clicking around some blogs and found this quotation that so perfectly speaks to me it's like my own mother said it.

· via ·


I read the quote an immediately thought "oh Eleanor Roosevelt - you're so wise. Always with the quotables." And then I read it again and realized, not Eleanor. Nope. That other Roosevelt.

But this quote so perfectly illustrates the root of any of my unhappiness: COMPARISON. This, my friends, is my "C word." Every time I feel great my inner other "C word" pipes up to compare me or my situation to someone else. 

If I look great in an outfit I imagine someone else looking better in it. If I have a big win in work, I imagine the people I went to school with having bigger, more glamourous wins at their agencies. I think of how I did it better last time, how she looked better before, how somewhere, someplace, someone else is doing something else better than me. 

And of course they are. And of course someone else would look better in this outfit that I'm sporting as I sit here and write this. But who the fuck cares? There's only one me, there's only one now, and to compare myself to anything or anyone else does nothing to help anyone. 

I need to appreciate what I have, practice gratitude and tell that bitch in my head to zip it because I'm talking and I've got some pretty nice things to say. 


Tuesday 2 April 2013

Busy Bee

I'm a couple of days late on my Joy Juice post, but I promise it was for a very-super-important, life or death reason: I was getting my tan on.

My parents participate in the second-largest human migration on the planet: Canadian retirees escaping to Florida during winter. I miss them tons while they're gone, but visiting them is a huuuuuuge perk!

· Clearwater Point · poolside bliss · oysters we gathered that morning · tanned toes ·



Now that I'm back home in Toronto and shivering, I can focus my attention back on this blog. 

Ok so this Joy Juice is about being busy and reminding me that being busy isn't the same as being on track. 

What does my schedule say that I care about? Is that true? Am I avoiding any big decisions or dream-chasing by saying "I'm just too busy?"

I enjoy being busy. In fact, I kind of need it. Once I stop for too long, I get antsy - I feel guilty about wasting the day. 

· via ·


My schedule mostly consists of working, cooking, seeing friends and family and yoga. My schedule says I care about relationships and that is 100% truth. 

My big questions are those big life decisions one is faced with when at my age. Should I get bangs? And how/where/and when do we buy a house? My schedule isn't stopping me from this at all, but there is one thing I've noticed:

I tend to do things for fear of "missing out."

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I go on trips because I don't want to miss out on seeing the world, I take risks because I don't want to miss out on reaping the rewards, I see my parents because I don't want to miss out making memories with them that I'll cherish forever. BUT, I think I need to learn to save time for myself. I'll say "yes" to drinks with friends, or a coffee date when sometimes all I want to do is stay home and watch a terrible chick flick. But I say "yes" because I feel guilty about staying home and doing nothing.

ermagerd i think I'm making a revelation here...

My schedule says I don't care enough about myself.

holy shit

I don't give myself enough alone time. And I love alone time. I lived alone for 3 years and adored every single minute of it. I got to know myself so well. Being alone is how I got myself here - to a place where I'm really really happy.

Ok, so here it is. I need to spend more time with me. I need to set aside more time to go to yoga all by my lonesome even if it means giving up on going out for that post-work drink. I also need to enjoy those nights my husband has to work late and spend them doing "me" things.

I'm my best company, and I can keep myself busy working on me thankyouverymuch. 

Thursday 28 March 2013

Awesome, opossum*

Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the Joy Juice journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. 

Ok, folks. This one's the hardest yet.

I'm supposed to reflect on what makes me awesome.

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Seriously?! Could I please answer what makes me not awesome? Because that's a lot easier, amIright?

Why is pointing out what makes you so great so hard? I feel like when I was 8 this would have been so easy:

I'm awesome at: singing, dancing, making a house out of a cardboard box, following along to The Little Mermaid word by word, making friends, decorating hats, exploring the forest behind my house.

When I was 8, I was capitol "A" awesome. The shit, some might say. But then something happened.

We learn somewhere that celebrating ourselves isn't polite. True, we need to learn humility (because no one likes a brag), but it shouldn't be at the cost of our sincerest pride. We learn that it's ok to flaunt our faults, but wearing our awesome right on our chest makes us the Hester Prynne of the 6th grade. "Don't talk to her, she's awesome."

So here, now, I will shout my awesome loud and clear.

...
...

ummm...I'm really good at winging my eyeliner? (you know that's an awesome skill to master.)

Uhhhh...gosh this is hard.

Ok. I'm a great cook. I can bake too. Like, seriously. I'm confident in the kitchen and if you give my ingredients, I can whip them into something pretty great. Exhibit A (for awesome, obv) and B (bitch, please):



Those were some tasty tasty foods, says I. You can believe me.

Ok, but I must be great at more than just kitchen-y things.

I think I'm great at listening to my friends. I'm great at lending an ear if they have something they need to talk through. I give good insight and I try my best to not push my opinion on how they should handle the situation on them and let them do what they'd like with my advice.

I'm great at feeling things. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm angry, I'll vent. If I'm happy, you'll know it. This may not seem like an awesome quality, but when the flip side is holding it all in, I think this is the better option. For me.

So how do I remind myself about how awesome I am when I forget? This one's easy: talk to my husband. He's my biggest fan and always holds me accountable. And he's always there to remind me I'm awesome even when I don't believe it at all.

Then he asks me to go bake him some cookies.

So, what's one thing that makes you awesome? And if you're less than stellar at winged eyeliner, check out Keiko's how to.

*An oppossum is NOT a possum, guys! Possums are Australian. Oppossums are North American. Basically an oppossum is to possums as alligators are to crocodiles. (I'm also awesome at knowing all the answerst.)

Wednesday 27 March 2013

No Bonnet Required

Truth be told, Easter isn't my favourite holiday. It's not my favourite anything really. It doesn't have the pumpkin-pie-comfort that comes along with Thanksgiving, no one gives me gifts like at Christmas (except for white chocolate bunnies*), and dressing up like one of the X-men really only works at Halloween.

But, Easter does have one thing going for it - the promise of warmer weather. And this year, that promise is truer than ever since the husband and I are hopping on a plane Friday morning and heading down to Florida to visit my parents.

Guess what? It's 25 (that celcius, friends) and sunny. It's alright to be jealous.

If I could run out right now and buy a brand new outfit to wear to Easter dinner, this is exactly what I'd pick up. Complete with the Dear Creatures dress and Swedish Hasbeens I've been coveting. (See? This is also why I dislike Easter...coveting is frowned upon).
No Bonnet Required

· shopping deets ·


What are your feelings about Easter? Are you a fan, or can the bunnies keep it?



*Whoever told my aunt that I love white chocolate, could you please fix this? It's gross and not actually chocolate at all.

Monday 25 March 2013

The Best Intentions

Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the Joy Juice journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. 

This one's about intentions.

Intention: an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.

Like, I intended to do laundry this weekend but I realized I had 2 more thongs tucked in back of my sock drawer so really, why bother?

Or, I intend to go to the party and only have 2 manhattans. (hahahahaha, right)

But no, not like those at all. The intention I'm talking about here is less "quantifiable." It's more a long-term goal. A "putting it out there" vibe, if you will.

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From what I understand of it (read: what Google tells me), setting an intention is basically assuming the outcome of something. In laylady's terms: you reap what you sow.

What is my intention for this year?
I'm not making goals here. If I were, my goal this year would be "buy an adorable house." My intention is something completely different.

My intention is to think more positively. To let the negative thoughts roll off my back, leaving room for only the positive. This is sure to create a domino effect, right? Like one where I give people the benefit of the doubt? Where I figure people think I'm great unless otherwise explicitly stated? It must.


How can I practice setting intentions in my day-today and remind myself of my practice gently?
Here's what I'm going to each morning: Tell myself "I'm going to have a great day"

How can I encourage others to share their intentions?
By being awesomely happy.

BUT, I could also encourage others to share their intentions here. If anyone's even reading! So, what are your intentions?

Friday 22 March 2013

Talk ain't cheap, sister

Every three days, I'll be posting my response to the Joy Juice journaling prompts I receive in my inbox on those mornings. At least, that's my intention ;) 

Ok, so this one's about self-talk. When I was doing my undergrad (in kinesiology, which is hilarious to anyone who knows me because I'm not "sporty" in the least. I just think muscles are super cool), I did a paper on the effects of self-talk and varsity level athletes. I'll spare you the nitty-gritty details (and footnotes) and cut to the chase - athletes who self-talk their way through their sport perform better than those who don't.

So why am I even telling you this? Well, for one, I got an 87% on that paper and I like bringing that up. Also, it does segway into today's Joy Juice, as the words we say to ourselves every day can truly affect how we see the world and how the world sees us.

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Where am I practicing self-sabotage my talking about myself negatively?

This one's tricky for me. First off, I do this in my head often - back to the too's from the other day's post. I tell myself I've got awful legs, or by butt looks terrible, or I said something idiotic. I level myself far too often instead of pumping myself up. But what's worse, is I often say these things out loud to my husband. He's my biggest fan and all I'm doing is chipping away at his fandom one little comment at a time. Yikes.

BUT, I have a question: does self-deprecating humour count as talking negatively about yourself? Because if I have to stop making fun of myself for my downfalls, my whole comedy schtick* is blown.

*I make friends or family members chuckle now and then. Not to be confused with a full-blown comedy schtick.


What do I complain and whine about the most?

Apart from eating too many carbs and feeling bloaty? Probably something someone did to offend me. And then it usually turns out to be a misunderstanding. If everyone would just say what they mean (and feel) I think this complaint would disappear (like the carbs on my plate).


What would it looks like if I made the conscious effort to talk (and think) about those things in a positive way?

Back to the first question: I'd probably feel more confidence, right? If I just shut up and let myself be? And as for getting upset over misunderstandings; I probably need to just give people the benefit of the doubt (which is so so difficult for me to do, but I'll try!). And as for the bloating? I doubt thinking positively about my gas will make it go away - so I just made a doctor's appointment to talk about it ;)

So what would it look like if I was more positive with my self-talk?

· via the talented Max Wanger ·



So, what are you saying about you?

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Joy Juice


I'm going through a change of life right now. No, not that change of life! Being newlyweds, my husband and I are all starry-eyed about buying our first home together. BUT, Toronto is notoriously unfriendly to first-time buyers (It's super pricey here. Unless you don't mind living in a shoebox). We're on our way, but to speed up the process we've moved in with my in-laws so we can pad our downpayment. 

My in-laws are fabulous - so kind and generous, but this is tough for me. I'm so used to living on my own (read: walking around in my undies), so used to doing things my own way (read: spending 3 hours trying a new recipe and eating dinner at 9 as a consequence) that this change is throwing me off-kilter. I don't hate it, it just doesn't feel like home yet. 

I think through every major transition, it's important to take inventory - a little self-reflection is good for the soul and great to get you back on track to being you. So, when I came across Stratejoy and the Joy Juice journaling prompts, I new I had to give it a try!

In a nutshell - Joy Juice emails you a prompt every 3 days. Journal it, blog it, talk it out with a gal pal - however you want to get your juices going is up to you. Each month is based on a theme and by month 12, you'll love yourself so damn much and be on your way to taking over the world. Basically I expect to have the confidence of Beyonce when I'm through with this. 

Check out Stratejoy for more info. And follow me along my lovefest/journey of self-discovery. A word to the wise though: shit's about to get real. 

Because who doesn't feel happy when they seen a bunch of HUGE balloons?
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How am I spending my days right now? 

I spend most of the day, most of my days, sitting in front of a computer screen. I’m a copywriter, so that time in front of the computer is 60% writing and 40% clicking around the Internet reading blogs and looking up recipes. Ok, it’s 60-40 the other way and I’m looking at more recipes than blogs. (shhhhhhhh).

When I’m not working though, I usually pack a ton into my free time. I’m one of those people who can’t sit too still for too long. Don’t get me wrong, I can power through 4 seasons of Breaking Bad in 22 days (I’m still unsure if this is my proudest accomplishment or my worst shame), but after a day of not accomplishing something, I feel like a wreck. So, I spend my nights cooking dinner (a favourite activity of mine), spending time with my husband doing something new, catching up with friends over drinks, or most recently, going to yoga.

 What activities feel like they are holding me back? 

There is something I spend a lot of time doing that doesn’t do anything to propel me forward. I spend a lot of time criticizing myself. I’m too lazy (wait…did I not just write all that busy-ness above?!), too fat, too sensitive, too bossy. Too this. Too that. I compare myself to others ALL THE TIME and it does nothing but contribute to unhappiness. I’m a confident person; or at least, I used to be. But all this “too” is wearing me down. I don’t think I’m alone here either – I think a lot of us gals are our own worst enemies, spending too much time on the too’s.

 Which ones are giving me energy and strength? 

At the risk of sounding like a lulu-wearing, mat-toting yogi, I do have to proclaim my love for yoga. It’s a new love, so yoga and I are still in that can’t-get-enough-of-each-other, does-no-wrong stage, but I hope it lasts. I HATE working out. But when I’m sedentary, I feel fat. When I feel fat, I’m unkind to myself. And when I’m unkind to myself, I’m not happy. It’s an easy cycle to recognize, and so so easy to break out of through yoga.

How can I start right this very moment to spend more time on the sweet spot activities?

Ok, so back to that cycle above. I’ve found that if I can get to the yoga studio at least 3 times a week, I feel great. I feel relaxed, yet energized, and I don’t feel like I need to beat myself up over enjoying a bit of something sweet. But I think I need a goal. So, here it is: through thrice-weekly practice, I’d like to be able to do a perfect downward dog. (There should probably be a time specified here, but how long does one need to downward dog like a pro? Damned if I know!).


And that’s it! Joy Juice #1. How are you spending your days?

Thursday 14 March 2013

Life's Tough Decisions

I've been silent lately. Which is maybe jumping the gun just a bit, seeing as I've done a whopping 3 (three!) posts so far, but hey. I've been juggling a lot lately - a big move, settling into the new place, work stuff and a fork in the road.

I've come to face the question almost every female faces at some point in her life. One that cannot be answered with a simple yes or not, but rather requires a committee of girlfriends and sisters, dozens of reference points and, of course, a pin board.


Yes, I'm struggling with that question: Should I get bangs?


This is one of the struggles for modern women. Pre-Birkin era women didn't need to mull over bangs, they didn't know any better. But us post-Birken babes, we're confronted with full-on fringe every couple of years. It's a vicious cycle - cut bangs, grow out, get bored, cut again. And with It Girls like Zooey Deschanel, Rose Byrne and Michelle Obama stepping out with a blunt cut and big smile, resisting the temptation to trim is even harder.


So, to make it harder on you, and to help myself step just a little closer to the stylist's chair, here are a few fabulously-fringed femmes to inspire.



· via ·

A post about bangs can't happen without Zooey. Her heavy fringe has inspired quirky girls the world over to make the cut. 


· via ·
Alexa. This is the heavier, fuller version of her curtain bang. I used to think full bangs needed to fully cover the forehead, but the gentle sweep of hers proves otherwise. 

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Brigitte and her bombshell bangs. Her are the quintessential curtain bang; they're full and part near the centre, kind of like window curtains.


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And the original - Jane Birkin - in all her effortless perfection.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Mangia This · Chinese Pork Dumplings


Have you ever gone out for dim sum? It’s fabulous! Servers flit around with cart after cart of steaming dumplings, spicy bok choy and, my favourite, sesame balls. The food just keeps coming and coming until you say stop or fall asleep.

There’s only one problem. I have NO freaking clue how to order dim sum so that I know exactly what I’m getting. It’s not that I’m a picky eater – I just need to know what’s in my food. If I expect pork and bite into shrimp, the meal’s ruined. And so, I only go for dim sum when an experienced friend can come along.

A couple weekends ago it was Chinese New Year’s. I A) knew my dim sum friend was busy and B) new all the great dim sum restaurants in Chinatown were packed, so I decided to make my own dumplings.

This recipe may look a bit lengthy and complicated, but I promise you it’s not. This is a perfect recipe for a weekend in, with a bunch of friends and your list of resolutions from that other New Year’s Day that you can start breaking all over again. 

Makes 40 dumplings

Filling (Adapted from Steamy Kitchen)
12 ounces cabbage leaves, roughly chopped (I used savoy cabbage)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup minced green onions (white and green parts)
2/3 pound ground pork
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (I used dry sherry)
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoons Chinese 5-spice

·····
Put the cabbage in a food processor and process until cabbage is finely minced. You could do this with a chef’s knife – just put on some good tunes because it’ll take you a while!
Transfer minced cabbage to a large bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Let cabbage sit for 10 minutes.


In the meantime, add add the ginger, chives, pork, pepper, soy sauce, rice wine, Chinese 5-spice and sesame oil to the now empty food processor bowl. Pulse 5 or 6 times to mix the ingredients well. Set aside.

I used PC Black Label Chinese 5-Spice
Using your hands, grab a handful of the cabbage and squeeze the excess moisture out into the sink. Don’t skip this step or your dumplings will be super soggy! Place the dry cabbage back into the large bowl and fold the pork mixture in until combined.

Wrappers (From Bon Appetit)

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 cup water
·····
Place the flour in a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup of the water, working the water into the flour with your hands. Slowly add more water, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly so the water is fully incorporated before adding more. Stop when the dough is springy and soft, not too dry but not slippery.

Transfer to a clean surface and knead for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and let sit for at least 10 minutes.



Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 3/4 inch in diameter.

5    Slice the ropes into 1-inch-long pieces.



6    Lightly sprinkle the pieces with flour, and roll them with one hand on the counter to form balls. Squash each ball with the center of your palm to flatten it like a silver dollar – a reference most people born after ’90 don’t get at all, but still, we'll keep using it.

7    Give a flour shower (aka sprinkle some flour) to the dough and work surface. Using a rolling pin and one piece of dough at a time, start from the center of the dough and roll outward, then roll back to the center. Turn the dough a few degrees and roll again. Continue rolling, turning the dough in the same direction, until you have made a full turn of the dance floor. The dumpling skin should be flat and round and slightly bigger than your palm. It probably won't be a perfect circle the first time you try - or the second - but your technique will improve as you go along (or you'll stop caring it's not perfect). 




8    Now here’s where things got real. I stacked my wrappers one on top of the other as I made them. BIG mistake. By the time I got to filling them, everything after wrapper #10 was one huge congealed mess. SO – next time, I’ll make a wrapper, fill a wrapper. Alternatively, you could do stacks of 5. If they’re going to hang out for a while, just cover them with a damp cloth so they don’t dry out.


The stack of horror

Assembly
Take one dumpling wrapper in the palm of your hand, spoon 1 tablespoon of the pork mixture onto the middle of the wrapper.


Bring up the bottom side of the wrapper, fold up into a semi-circle and pinch the top.
Starting at one end, pinch the dough into pleats until the filling is completely encased.


Set dumpling aside - but make sure that the dumplings do not touch each other!

To Cook Dumplings

While you are wrapping, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Add the dumplings in batches of 20, and when the water returns to a boil, cook for 5 minutes. Drain and serve immediately with sauces below.


Beware: They're slippery little buggers!


Chili Oil
·····
In a small, heatproof bowl, place 2 tsp chili flakes, one minced garlic clove and 2 pinches of salt

Heat 1/4 cup of chili in a frying pan until fragrant and oil appears to be rippling. Carefully pour warm oil into small bowl and let sit for at least 10 minutes for flavours to meld. 



Rice Vinegar
·····
This one's easy. Pour some seasoned rice vinegar into a small bowl. Dip dumplings. Marvel at how this simple vinegar dip changes everything. 



I'd love to hear if you tried this recipe!


 
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