This week, we are featuring Spcy Grls. Spcy Grls is a company run and owned by Whistler locals Amie Comerford and Kirby Emmett. They have been creating handmade hot sauces, spice mixes, take-home lunch items and dumplings since 2018. With deep local roots, these boss ladies deliver their creative food products to Spcy Grls fans in Whistler every week and are now selling their flavourful sauces all over the world.
Take home some dumplings for dinner at the Whistler Farmers’ Market September 5th, September 19th, and October 3rd, or check out their website for more options to order.
If crispy, spicy dumplings sound like your jam, keep reading below to learn how easy Spcy Grls’ dumplings are to cook to perfection. For an extra burst of flavour, I’m also giving away the recipe to my family’s secret dumpling dipping sauce.
Spcy Grls Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings and Tangy Dipping Sauce
With school starting up again and chilly fall days looming on the horizon, there is no better quick and delicious meal than some juicy dumplings. Pan fried and served with an herby, spicy dipping sauce, these lemongrass chicken dumplings are the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner– yes, who says you can’t have dumplings for breakfast! I can’t think of a better way to fuel up for some late-season laps in the bike park.
INGREDIENTS
Dumplings:
1 bag of frozen dumplings from Spcy Grls– here I am using the lemongrass chicken flavour
2 tbsp of neutral cooking oil
Sauce:
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp sambal olek (I use the chilli garlic flavour), or other hot sauce of your choice
3 tbsp of soy sauce (check out Infusion Soy Sauces at the Farmers’ Market)
3 tbsp of black Chinese vinegar (substitute with rice wine vinegar or extra lime juice if you don’t have this in your pantry)
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
1 large garlic clove, minced (find fresh garlic at the Market at Laughing Crow Organics, Seed to Culture, or Willowcraft Farms)
½ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup chopped cilantro
METHOD
In a non-stick pan, heat up your oil over medium heat. Place the dumplings, still frozen, into the pan.
Fry the dumplings until they form a golden-brown crust on the bottom.
Add enough water to rise about a ⅓ of the way up your dumplings. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pan and how many dumplings you are cooking. Cover the pan and let the dumplings steam– about 6 minutes.
While your dumplings are steaming, assemble the sauce. Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Reserve some of the green onions and cilantro for garnishing the dumplings. This sauce is incredibly flexible– start with an equal amount of soy and vinegar, taste, and adjust if you like your sauces more salty or more tangy.
I love spice so I always add extra hot sauce. Add any other ingredients you like. Some great options are toasted sesame oil for some nuttiness, oyster sauce for extra umami, or a sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
When the water is evaporated, remove the lid from your pan. Let the dumplings continue to cook until your desired level of crispiness is achieved– usually another 1-2 minutes.
Plate your dumplings– they will be crispy on the bottom and tender and juicy in the center. Sprinkle your reserved cilantro and green onions over the dumplings, and drizzle some of that tangy sauce over top. Add any other toppings you like– I went with extra hot sauce, but you can try sesame seeds for crunch, or sliced cucumber for a burst of freshness.
Use any leftover sauce for dipping.
ENJOY!
This quick and easy meal only takes about 20 minutes to make, is bursting with flavour and a great way to practice your chopstick skills. If you try out these Spcy Grls dumplings, take a photo and tag @whistlerfarmersmarket and @spcygrls on social media– we love to see what you come up with.
Swing by the Whistler Farmers’ Market at the Racket Club every Sunday until October 10th to visit our friendly vendors and shop local groceries, arts and crafts.
