fried dumpling

In fact, Beijing's "pot stickers" are imported. They were invented by Shandong people and have a history of more than 200 years in Beijing. Beijing has been a consumer city since ancient times. Before the Ming Dynasty, due to its location as a border fortress, apart from relatively developed commerce, it did not have any unique specialties.
Most of the shops in the capital are operated by Shanxi people. The catering industry is the most prosperous among Shandong people, basically monopolizing the ancient market in Beijing. In the past, the Badalou, Badazhuang and Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurants in Beijing were all opened by people from Shandong. The chefs used were mainly from Fushan in Shandong, and the waiters were all from Muping in Shandong.
Today's Beijing snacks and dishes are basically based on Shandong cuisine. After historical changes and continuous improvement, they have evolved into today's Beijing cuisine. The authentic Beijing "pot stickers" and bague-fried fire are evolved from Shandong's "fried dumplings". These two snacks are very famous and are one of the favorite delicacies of Beijingers.
It is said that the Empress Dowager Cixi liked to eat dumplings very much, but she refused to eat them once they were cold. Therefore, the chefs in the imperial dining room had to constantly cook hot dumplings. The Empress Dowager Cixi ate three or two eunuchs and removed them. She also had to discard the cold dumplings and then serve a new plate. It was a waste every time the Empress Dowager ate dumplings. One day, the Empress Dowager went to Jingxinzhai in Beihai Park. She was enjoying flowers in the back garden and smelled the fragrance of the lotus market outside the palace wall. So she walked up to the viewing building in the garden curiously and saw hawkers frying the food shaped like dumplings. The food with golden dough was ordered to buy some and taste it. She felt that the skin was crispy and the filling was juicy and quite delicious. Later, the steward learned that these were dumplings discarded in the imperial kitchen and were secretly sold to the palace by the eunuchs. Because the dumplings were cold and stuck to each other, they were not easy to cook with water, so they were fried and eaten hot. This time, the dumplings discarded in the palace returned to the queen mother's mouth, haha! The person in charge never dared to mention this matter. During the late Qing Dynasty, theft became a common practice in the palace and only hid it from the emperor and the queen mother. The corruption at that time can be seen!
Later, the "pot stickers" were very particular. They had to use a pan, apply a slight layer of oil, and place the pot stickers neatly, one by one. When frying, some water should be sprinkled evenly. It is best to use a kettle with a small mouth to sprinkle water on the gaps in the pot stickers so that it can penetrate into the bottom of the flat pot. Cover the lid, fry for two to three minutes, and sprinkle with water again. Pan-fry for another two to three minutes, and then sprinkle with water again. You can sprinkle a little more oil at this time. Serve in about five minutes. When taking out with a shovel, connect five or six pieces together, the bottom is golden yellow, the periphery and upper part are slightly soft and steaming hot. It is best. When eating, the skin is crispy and fluffy, and the filling is rotten and crisp. The aroma is fragrant and has endless aftertaste. What a wonderful enjoyment. There are also differences in the practice of "pot stickers". The real pot stickers are not sealed at both ends, and the filling is exposed outside. And what is fully squeezed is called "pot stickers dumplings", not real "pot stickers". The Manchu people in the flag are very particular. Maybe it was psychological and they were afraid of eating the leftover dumplings spat out by the Lafayette, haha!