Samosa Potstickers — Sheil Shukla (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Chinese dumplings and potstickers? ›

Unlike dumplings, potstickers are made with a thin wrapper, sometimes referred to as a dumpling skin. This is because they are steam fried to get a crispy golden bottom layer and to ensure that the filling is juicy and delicious.

Samosa is a deep fried pastry with a spiced filling usually made with potatoes, spices and herbs. Sometimes these are also made with minced meat (keema). Samosa is one of the most commonly eaten snack across India.

In a nutshell, potstickers and wontons are types of dumplings. Potstickers are steam-fried, while wontons are boiled or deep-fried. When it comes to dough ingredients, potstickers or traditional dumplings generally use wheat flour and water. On the other hand, wontons use flour, egg, and water.

Though considered part of Chinese cuisine, jiaozi are also popular in other parts of East Asia, where a Japanese variety is referred to as gyoza, and in the Western world, where a fried variety is referred to as potstickers.

Gyoza is the Japanese variation on the traditional Chinese recipe of potstickers. They are usually made with thinner, more delicate wrappers, and the filling is more finely textured. The thinner skins mean that gyoza get crispier than chewy potstickers.

Although many think the samosa originated in South Asia, its roots can be traced back to Central Asia & the Middle East. In Arab cookbooks dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, pastries were referred to as 'sanbusak,' derived from the Persian term 'Sanbosag.

There is a some sourness in this stuffing as dry mango powder or dry pomegranate powder are added. A few more spices are added as well. In some variations, raisins are also added which gives the samosa a sweet-sour taste.

As it spread along the ancient trade routes, it found its way to the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions ruled by the Delhi Sultanate. Over time, samosa gained immense popularity throughout the Indian subcontinent and evolved into the much-loved snack we know today.

The ingredients in a potsticker or dumpling are usually very affordable, but making them is a difficult and painstaking process, which is why they can be expensive in restaurants and stores. Making them yourself is probably cheaper, but it can take a long time to produce a large batch of potstickers.

For starters, potstickers are Chinese while gyoza are Japanese. And beyond that distinction, gyoza tend to be smaller than potstickers, with thinner and slightly more delicate wrappers. They also may be fully steamed, boiled, or fried, rather than cooked using a combination of pan-frying and steaming.

What are Indian potstickers called? ›

I'm a big fan of potstickers. A delicious filling combined with a crisp and chewy exterior. These potstickers are just that but with an Indian flair! They have a mouthwatering samosa filling and are served alongside green chutney.

In a 10-inch, non-stick skillet, set over medium heat, add a few teaspoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the pot stickers so they're standing up right. Cook, uncovered until the bottoms are light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water and then quickly cover with a lid.

In Japan, gyoza is almost exclusively pan-fried and steamed, served on its own or with a salty and tangy dipping sauce. Dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or fried; served as is, with a spicy sauce, or in a soup.

Potstickers are a type of dumpling that is pan-fried on one side, giving it a crispy texture. They are typically filled with meat and vegetables and served with a dipping sauce. Dumplings, on the other hand, can be boiled, steamed, or pan-fried and are usually filled with meat or vegetables.

Jiaozi (pronounced "jow-zee") are perhaps the most common type of Chinese dumpling. Crescent-shaped and formed with an opaque wrapper made from wheat dough, jiaozi are usually filled with ground pork, cabbage, and scallions, and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

Sometimes, a jiaozi (the generalized term for Chinese dumplings) can first be made as a shui jiao before pan-frying it to turn it into guo tie. Just like the guo tie, this dumpling is often enjoyed with a salty, acidic dipping sauce of soy sauce and vinegar.

In Asian cuisines, dumplings are delicate, bite-sized treats of different fillings wrapped in a thin layer of dough. They can be both savoury and sweet, and may be boiled, steamed and fried - the choice is yours!