过大年 包饺子 | How to make dumplings during the spring festival

　　Whether it’s crispy Peking duck, crescent shaped wontons, succulent sweet and sour pork, or noodles stir fried to perfection, Chinese cuisine appeals to palates and satisfies hungry stomachs all over the world. But the most famous, most delicious and most savory of all the Chinese culinary exports perhaps is none other than the humble dumpling.

　　无论是脆香的北京烤鸭，还是新月状的馄饨、美味多汁的糖醋里脊，亦或是金灿灿的炒面，以上列举的这些中国美食，都足以俘获世界各国人们的味蕾。但最富盛名、最美味、最可口的中国出口美食，绝对是饺子。

　　Known as jiaozi (饺子), this particular type of Chinese dumpling typically consists of a ground meat and vegetable filling wrapped into thinly rolled pieces of wheat dough. Eggs, noodles, tofu and fish are also common fillings. It is usually paired with a soy-vinegar sauce or a hot chili sauce for dipping. As one of the most common foods eaten during the Chinese New Year and year-round in the northern provinces, these little dumplings boast an impressive history that spans back over 1,800 years.

　　作为饺子，尤其是典型的中国饺子，通常是把剁碎的肉和蔬菜作为馅儿，包进饺子皮里。同样，鸡蛋、面条、豆腐和鱼也可以做饺子馅儿，吃饺子的时候还可以蘸酱油、醋和辣椒酱。作为北方城市在过年过节时常吃的食物，小小的饺子也有1800多年的历史。

　　Historicaly, the first recorded jiaozi recipe appears in texts written during the Zhou Dynasty (1056-256 B.C.). Zhang Zhongjing, also known as the "Medicine Saint” from the Han Dynasty was the sole creator of these tasty treats. From his village he noticed that many of his villagers ears were frostbitten. Determined to help, he took mutton, warming herbs and chili, wrapped them in dough in which he then shaped like an ear, boiled and distributed them to his fellow villagers as a way of warming their bodies and ears. This made its mark in Chinese history and continues to warm the hearts (and ears) and fill the bellies of those who consume them.

　　有关饺子的首次记载，出现在周朝的文章中。汉朝的医圣张仲景是饺子的首创者，当时很多百姓耳朵冻伤了，张仲景就把羊肉、暖性的草药、红辣椒包进面皮里，捏成耳朵的形状，煮熟后分给这些百姓们，来治疗他们冻伤的耳朵。从此以后，饺子就进入了中国的历史，代代相传，人们始终相信在寒冷的冬天吃饺子，能够温暖我们的心和耳朵。

　　Despite their humble origins and appearence, these portable packets of deliciousness play an important role in Chinese culture. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, families gather together to prepare dumpling fillings and stuff the packets of dough with homemade deliciousness. At midnight, these tasty creations are consumed, for it is believed that eating dumplings on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and happiness. They are arranged in a circle when served as it symolizes family reunions. Also, since the shape of dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese ingots, they are also believed to bring financial prosperity. Dumplings are also eaten during the winter solstice, which occurs during December 21 and marks the shortest day of the year. Furthermore, dumplings have gradually become an essential ritual food for special occasions in northern China, such as being served to guests at weddings or after the birth of a child.

　　饺子作为便于携带的美食，不但有悠久的历史，而且在中国的文化中不可或缺。在除夕夜，家人们团聚在一起，把准备好的馅儿放入饺子皮里，做出一道独特的家庭美味。人们相信在除夕吃饺子，可以带来福气和好运，饺子端上桌的时候，还会特意摆成一个圆圈，象征着家人的团圆。另外，因为饺子的形状与中国古代的货币——元宝很像，所以大家相信吃饺子也可以带来更多的财运。12月21日的冬至是一年中白昼最短的时候，人们在这一天也会吃饺子。在中国北方，人们通常在重要的宴会上用饺子来招待宾客。

　　So how does one prepare dumplings? It is easier than you think, but folding the dough intricately is more difficult than it seems. Creating the fillings is perhaps the easiest part. Stir fry meat such as chicken, pork, beef or mutton, etc., vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, celery, Chinese leek, carrot and cucumber, etc. or seafood such as crab, shrimp and fish in oil. Add scrambled eggs and noodles if you prefer and combine until everything is evenly distributed. Take wheat flour and add enough water to mold into a ball and knead it until it is smooth and pliable. Add the cooked fillings to the dough and fold the edges to create a packet. Finally, boil the dumplings before serving.

　　所以饺子到底是怎么做的呢?首先，最简单就是准备饺子馅儿：把鸡肉、猪肉、牛肉或者羊肉剁碎，再把大白菜、芹菜、韭菜、胡萝卜或者黄瓜切好，还可以加入螃蟹、虾或鱼等海鲜。根据个人爱好，还可以加入鸡蛋和面条，并充分搅拌。然后，放入小麦面粉和足够的水，揉成柔韧的面团后，放入酵母使其发酵。最后擀出饺子皮，把馅儿上去包好。 最后，把饺子放进水里煮就行了。

　　As a volunteer for DiscoverShandong, my colleagues and I were fortunate to be kindly invited to a Chinese person’s home to make and eat dumplings. The fillings were already prepared as we arrived and contained meat with vegetables and a vegetarian option. Our task was to stuff the dough with the fillings and to fold the edges to create their shape. The Chinese women showed us how to properly fold the dough, although I had great difficulties folding it as intricately as they did. But despite their appearance they tasted just as good! This event was prepared by the International Exchange Center, which aims to present important aspects of Chinese culture to foreigners living in Jinan and in Shandong Province. I am very thankful for the delicious meal and experience and it is a special memory in China I will not forget. When I return home I would like to add this to my family’s tradition.

　　作为Discover Shandong的志愿者，我和我的同事们十分幸运地被邀请到当地居民家里，去制作和品尝饺子。主人已经准备好了饺子馅儿，我们的任务就是包饺子了。这家的主妇十分热情地教我们怎么把饺子皮折起来，这个步骤太难了!我们包出来的饺子虽然很丑，但是味道十分好!这真的是一次难忘的经历，太感谢能有这样的机会，我会永远记住这顿美味的饺子的!这项活动是由国际交流中心举办的，旨在展示中国的特色美食，让在济南的留学生和外国人能体验到中国文化最重要的部分。我回家的时候，一定会把过节吃饺子这项传统带回去的。