Savory Chinese Dumpling Soup with Ginger and Spinach
This comforting Chinese Dumpling Soup is a heartwarming dish that combines the robust flavors of ginger and sesame with tender dumplings and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for a cozy night in or as a delightful appetizer for your next gathering, this soup is soothing, nutritious, and bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of low-sodium broth, fresh ingredients, and aromatic spices. The addition of baby spinach and carrots adds a splash of color and texture to every bowl. Serve it hot and garnish optionally with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of Asian chili paste for a kick of heat. A fantastic blend of taste and health in each serving, this soup will soon become a favorite in your culinary repertoire!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Low-sodium chicken or mushroom broth
8 cups (Choose based on preference)
Fresh ginger
1 piece, about 2 inches long (Peeled and julienned)
Soy sauce
1 tablespoon (Preferably dark)
Rice cooking wine or pale dry sherry
1/4 cup
Balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon
Dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons
Sugar
1 teaspoon
Salt
1 pinch
Carrots
2, thinly sliced (On the bias - about 1 cup)
Frozen Chinese dumplings (pork, shrimp, or chicken)
16 ounces
Scallions
3, thinly sliced
Baby spinach
4 cups
Chopped cilantro
to taste (Optional for garnish)
Asian chili paste
to taste (Optional for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, combine the low-sodium chicken or mushroom broth with the julienned ginger, soy sauce, rice cooking wine or dry sherry, balsamic vinegar, dark sesame oil, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the ginger to infuse its flavor into the broth.
3
Add the thinly sliced carrots to the pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until they are tender.
4
Once the carrots are cooked, add the frozen dumplings to the soup and cook for about 3 minutes until they are heated through.
5
Stir in the sliced scallions and baby spinach into the pot. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
6
Ladle the soup into warm bowls and serve immediately. For an extra kick, you can serve Asian chili paste on the side and sprinkle with chopped cilantro if desired.
7
Alternatively, if you prefer crispy dumplings, cook them according to package directions for potstickers, and serve them alongside the soup.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chinese Dumpling Soup?
It is a comforting and heartwarming dish that combines ginger and sesame flavors with tender dumplings, baby spinach, and carrots.
How much broth is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 8 cups of low-sodium chicken or mushroom broth.
How should the ginger be prepared?
One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger should be peeled and julienned.
What type of soy sauce is preferred?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, preferably dark.
What can I use if I do not have rice cooking wine?
You can use 1/4 cup of pale dry sherry as a substitute for rice cooking wine.
How long should the broth simmer to infuse the ginger?
The broth mixture should simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the ginger to infuse its flavor.
When do I add the carrots to the soup?
Add the thinly sliced carrots after the initial 10-15 minute simmer and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
How long do the frozen dumplings take to cook?
Frozen dumplings should be cooked in the soup for about 3 minutes until they are heated through.
When should the baby spinach be added?
Stir in the baby spinach at the very end and cook until it wilts, which takes about 1 minute.
Is there a specific type of oil used in this soup?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dark sesame oil for aroma and flavor.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes, you can serve Asian chili paste on the side for an extra kick of heat.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Optional garnishes include chopped cilantro and sliced scallions.
How many carrots are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 carrots, thinly sliced on the bias.
What kind of frozen dumplings can I use?
You can use 16 ounces of frozen Chinese dumplings such as pork, shrimp, or chicken.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, if you choose mushroom broth and vegetable-based dumplings.
How much baby spinach is required?
The recipe requires 4 cups of baby spinach.
What is the purpose of balsamic vinegar in this recipe?
One tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is added to the broth to provide a specific depth of flavor.
Can I cook the dumplings differently?
Yes, you can cook them as potstickers according to package directions and serve them alongside the soup instead of boiling them in it.
How many scallions are needed?
The recipe uses 3 thinly sliced scallions.
Does the recipe include sugar?
Yes, it includes 1 teaspoon of sugar.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients listed in this recipe.
How should the soup be served?
Ladle the soup into warm bowls and serve immediately.
What are the main tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include chinese, dumplings, soup, comfort food, healthy, ginger, spinach, and quick recipe.
How much salt is added?
A single pinch of salt is added to the broth mixture.
How do I prepare the scallions?
The 3 scallions should be thinly sliced before being added to the pot.
Is the ginger peeled or unpeeled?
The ginger should be peeled before it is julienned.
How many servings does the recipe make?
The raw data does not specify a serving count, but it uses 8 cups of broth.
Can I use fresh dumplings?
The recipe specifies frozen Chinese dumplings, but fresh ones can be used with adjusted cooking times.
What is the heat setting for boiling the broth?
The mixture should be brought to a boil over high heat before reducing to a simmer.
How long does the whole process take?
The total active simmering time is approximately 20-25 minutes.