Susur Lee's Guo Tie Recipe Is A Dumpling Game-Changer | HuffPost

This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Tastebuds, get ready to go to food heaven.

Al Donato— The Huffington Post Canada

|

Breaking news: you can actually improve perfection.

You might have thought frying up frozen dumplings, crispy on the outside and stuffed with tender meat and vegetables, was sufficient. Tasty, even.

But renowned chef Susur Lee has taken dumplings to the next level with his take on guo tie, a popular Chinese street food.

In this episode of "Say It. Make It. Eat It," the Toronto-based celebrity chef and Masterchef judge goes back to his roots for a pork-filled comfort his tastebuds never tire of.

Lee shares with Canadians all the tricks to perfect guo tie, including pronunciation. "Guo" is pronounced with a faint g, like "gwoah," and a falling intonation. Tie is said sharply, with a rising emphasis. It should sound like "tyeh," rhyming with "heh."

If you want to learn how to make your own guo tie, get the oil hot and ready as you take Lee's lessons to your own stove:

For Lee, the dumpling dish has been a constant in his culinary globe-trotting. Now Toronto-based, Lee has a slew of successful restaurants around the world (including Fring's, which he launched with Drake).

His international fame doesn't make simple food any less delicious for Lee. Freshly blanched corn, green onions, and king oyster mushrooms are star ingredients in guo tie, wrapped in pork and homemade batter. Guo tie's unique cooking style is what elevates the dish. Steaming the dumplings and frying them with leftover batter forms a glorious golden crust.

"The Chinese say circle is perfection," Lee says. "So, circle with the batter and nice crust is perfect."

Peek behind the scenes with Chef Lee:

"Say It. Make It. Eat It." is an AOL Canada Originals series that celebrates the multitude of cuisines from around the world that are loved by Canadians from coast to coast. Renowned chefs from the country's top restaurants and online food celebs show you step-by-step how properly say, make and enjoy some of their favourite dishes — and they'll fill you in on why these dishes are close to their hearts. Get ready to cook and dine like a pro, Canada.

Also on HuffPost

Chinese Recipes

Egg Drop Soup(01 of12)

You'll find this egg drop soup recipe by Marcus Samuelsson even more flavorful than the takeout version. It includes ginger, lemongrass, and shiitake mushrooms for extra flavor. The entire recipe can be whipped up in 15 minutes for a quick supper.Get the Egg Drop Soup recipe (credit:Adam Macchia)

Guotie Pot Stickers(02 of12)

Pot stickers are so easy to make at home -- and we don't mean the frozen kind. Simply use wonton or dumpling wrappers to encase a wonderful filling of ground beef or pork. The secret to pot stickers is actually searing them and letting them stick to the pan first, then steaming them under cover. Serve with dipping sauce.Get the Guotie Pot Stickers recipe (credit:Nate Tate and Mary Kate Tate)

Asian-Marinated Short Ribs With A Lip-Smacking Peanut Dip(03 of12)

A number of Asian condiments (oyster sauce, sriracha sauce, black bean sauce) come together to create the marinade for this succulent short ribs recipe. The ribs are roasted in the oven for just 20 minutes and then served with a sweet and spicy peanut dipping sauce.Get the Asian-Marinated Short Ribs with a Lip-Smacking Peanut Dip recipe (credit:Taste)

Vegetable Fried Rice(04 of12)

What would Chinese takeout be without fried rice? This version is packed with vegetables, including broccoli, carrots and onion. Garnish with peanuts. Enjoy this as its own dish or as a side with chicken.Get the Vegetable Fried Rice recipe (credit:Julie Toy)

Chicken Chow-Mein(05 of12)

This Chinese take-out favorite can be made easily at home in a wok or skillet. This version of the classic recipe includes slender egg noodles, chicken sausage, chiles, snow peas, and orange juice for a sweet touch. Add slivered basil leaves just before serving. We promise you won't have any leftovers.Get the Chicken Chow-Mein recipe (credit:Dana Gallagher/Food & Wine)

Spicy Sichuan Green Beans(06 of12)

Typically made with long beans, which can grown as long as a yard, this recipe instead uses easier-to-find green beans. Chiles and Sichuan peppercorns (a traditional ingredient in Sichuan cuisine) add lots of heat and tongue-tingling numbness to the dish. The topping can be made with either ground pork or beef.Get the Spicy Sichuan Green Beans recipe (credit:Nate Tate and Mary Kate Tate)

Peking Duck(07 of12)

Peking Duck is probably one of the most popular Chinese recipes -- and no wonder why. Succulent dusk, crispy skin, sliced cucumber and scallion, all wrapped up in a soft pancake --what's not to love? If you've ever wanted the recipe for yourself, here it is. If you can't find Mandarin pancakes, use fajitas.Get the Peking Duck recipe (credit:Nate Tate and Mary Kate Tate)

Lacquered Spareribs(08 of12)

Make this flavorful dish of Chinese-style spareribs quickly in the pressure cooker. The lip-smacking glaze includes pineapple juice, ketchup, honey, soy sauce and ginger. Boil down the cooking sauce to use for brushing the ribs before serving.Get the Lacquered Spareribs recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)

Sichuan-Style Chicken With Peanuts(09 of12)

Make this easy Sichuan-style stir-fry in just 25 minutes. It can be made with either pieces of chicken breast or thigh or even thinly sliced beef sirloin. Use either fresh or frozen snap peas. Garnish with peanuts and sliced scallions when ready to serve.Get the Sichuan-Style Chicken with Peanuts recipe (credit:EatingWell)

Dumplings(10 of12)

Everyone loves dumplings -- they're great for an impromptu meal, snack, appetizer or even breakfast! Making them is especially easy when you use store-bought wrappers. Make the dumplings as pot stickers (seared in a pan and then steamed) or steamed in a steamer basket over cabbage leaves. Choose from the following recipes and don't forget the dipping sauce.Get the recipes:Chicken and Lemongrass Dumplings Watercress and Tofu Dumplings Dumpling Dipping Sauce (credit:Frances Janisch/Food & Wine)

Sichuan Tofu And Green Bean Stir-Fry(11 of12)

This stir-fry recipe is versatile enough that it can be made with brocoli, peppers, asparagus, or any other vegetables besides green beans. A coating of cornstarch on the tofu ensures a crusty exterior when stir-fired. The recipe calls for Chinkiang vinegar, a sweet Chinese vinegar -- if you can't find it, substitute balsamic.Get the Sichuan Tofu and Green Bean Stir-Fry recipe (credit:EatingWell)

Five-Spice Turkey And Lettuce Wraps(12 of12)

This recipe is a take on a popular Chinese specialty, typically made with ground pork and all wrapped in tender lettuce leaves. For a leaner version, use ground turkey or chicken. For a sweet and spicy kick, the recipes features hoisin sauce and Chinese five-spice powder.Get the Five-Spice Turkey and Lettuce Wraps recipe (credit:EatingWell)

Related

AOL Originals chinese food delicious recipes dumpling recipe guo tie

Suggest a correction

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

From Our Partner