Dumplings have long been seen as the ultimate labour of love – meticulously filled, folded, and pleated parcels of deliciousness, often made during leisurely afternoons. One person folds, another steams or pan-fries, and everyone eventually feasts.

But thanks to the rise of the dumpling press, this traditionally time-intensive process just got a major upgrade! With a press, you can whip up dumplings in no time – no expert pleating skills required.

So, why not make your next summer gathering as fun as it is delicious? A DIY dumpling station is an unexpected twist that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, minus the stress. Set it up wherever the party takes you – around the kitchen bench, at the dining table, or even outside by the barbecue.

Your guests can choose the fillings that appeal to their palate, assemble their own dumplings and steam them fresh, turning your feast into an interactive, hands-on experience. It’s social, satisfying, and guaranteed to keep everyone entertained (and well-fed).

Keen to give it a go? Follow our step-by-step guide to setting up a dumpling station this summer.

Step one: choose your station location 

First things first, choose a central area where everyone can gather comfortably – a kitchen counter, dining table, or even an outdoor area near the barbecue or a hot plate. Make sure there’s enough space for your guests to stand around while they assemble their dumplings. Lay out butchers paper for easy cleanup.

Step two: get the essentials ready

Here’s what you’ll need for your station set-up:

• Dumpling wrappers: store-bought options are the way to go for a time-saving solution.
• Fillings: offer a variety – think meat options that will best appeal to your guests, seafood, and a vegetarian mix. Pre-mix them with seasonings like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
• Dumpling press: for shaping and sealing (we got ours from Kmart for just $1.75)
• Small dishes of water: for sealing edges

Hot Tip: consider labelling each dish with a black marker on butchers paper. This way, your guests will know exactly what they’re creating!

Step three: prep the cooking station

If steaming, having a bamboo or metal steamer ready to go with boiling water nearby. If pan-frying, prep a non-stick pan with oil. Both methods can run simultaneously if you’re catering to preferences. Either way, be sure to keep the little kids at bay from this station.

Step four: add sauces and sides

Stock up on dipping sauces using common ingredients such as soy sauce, chilli oil, sesame dressing, vinegar or ponzu.

Your guests may also want to experiment with their own sauces, so chopped coriander, honey, minced garlic and ginger are some added options you may want to add to the final station.

With these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to hosting a fun and memorable dumpling party that your guests will love. So why not give it a try this summer? Gather your favourite people and get creative with your fillings and toppings and enjoy! Happy dumpling making.

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