Posted on 04/21/2013 6:54:05 PM PDT by nickcarraway
You're probably familiar with dumplings and potstickers: Dumplings are likely the first Chinese food item that comes to mind for non-Chinese, while potstickers turn up in the frozen-food sections of markets and menus of Chinese restaurants even on the Westside. But have you heard of a Chinese calzone? Neither had we until a poster at Chowhound referred to an item by that term.
A Chinese calzone is a filled bread, steamed and then pan-fried instead of baked in a wood-fired brick oven. What type of filling do you think would be in a Chinese version of a calzone? Meat? Yes, and, of course, that means pork. There is no cheese, as dairy is rather uncommon in Chinese cuisine. But for all the dissimilarities, the name fits, as these "dumplings" are filled baos.
You can find these Chinese calzones at the awkwardly yet aptly named Qing Dao Bread Food in Monterey Park. You won't find much in the way of Qingdao specialties on a small, 34-item menu dominated by dumplings, potstickers and baos. This is, after all, a dumpling house. The best-known Shandong item around these parts, the beef roll/beef pancake, is absent, as is the liberal use of seafood for which Qingdao cuisine known.
Seating just 24 patrons, at least half of the space here is taken up by the food preparation area. Photos of dishes on the wall and a checklist-style menu ease the language barrier. On both, you'll find Fried Stuffed Dumpling. There are three pork variants: with leeks and shrimp, with leeks or with cabbage. This is what you're looking for, called lu bao in Chinese.
A large plateful of "dumplings" arrives, served upside down and resembling a giant pinwheel held together by a lacy crust. Half an order of potstickers could fit inside one of these. Pan-fried until crispy on the bottom, with a slurry of flour creating the webbed crust, an almost potato chip-like crunchiness gives way to a chewy, white bread flavor and doughy texture.
Pork and leek filling, fried stuffed dumpling, Qing Dao Bread Food Instead of the standard black vinegar, a garlic dipping sauce is provided. While it complements the pork nicely, a little goes a long way and the cumulative effect kind of sneaks up on you.
We were tipped to other places where we could find them, but those didn't really pan out. If you know of any other restaurants that have them, please let us know. For the time being, if you'd like to try Chinese calzones, you'll have to visit Qingdao Bread Food. It's open six nights a week, closing at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Thanks, now that I know what it is, I think I have had them before.
Uh-uh. Chicken stock goes into the pan to cook the browned dumplings. The pan is covered while cooking and after a few minutes, uncovered to allow the broth to cook away and allow the bottom of the dumplings to form a browned crispy bottom. Using a non stock pan, or enough oil, they won’t stick. ( I just ended 38 years of teaching Chinese Cooking)
I grew up in Monterey Park.
Okay, maybe I’ll make my own gyoza..but there are flecks in there of something besides soy and rice vinegar in there. A touch of wasabi sounds great.
I sauteed the won tons(chicken and cilantro) and shrimp pot stickers in a little canola oil until they were nice and brown,,then added a few T. water and covered them for about seven minutes...really good for frozen food.
You are the master!
They are easy but time consuming to make.
Problem is you eat one, and you’re hungry two hours later.
Xie xie! Making those dumplings, and the inverting them on a plate always brought oohs and ahs. A great dish and fun to make ———AND eat!
I was at a trade show recently with many exhibitors from China. It was funny to watch them eating slices of pizza with chopsticks. :)
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