Jimmy Dean

Whenever I have a night alone in the house I make frozen potstickers. It’s my dirty little secret. The Chicken, the big time cook, the one who declares that cooking is what she does for fun, for kicks, for the pure joy of it, hates to cook if there isn’t anyone to feed. God forbid Rooster ever becomes anorexic because without an empty belly to inspire me, it’s potstickers, every meal, all the time. And what kind of life is that?

JIMMY DEAN SIGNATURE RECIPE CONTEST

The Rules: Entries must contain (1) 16 oz. package of Jimmy Dean Roll Sausage - any variety. Entries will be judged on originality (30%), taste (30%), ease of preparation (10%) and visual appeal (30%).

The Prize: Grand Prize $2,500; Second Place (10) Free Jimmy Dean Products for one year


The Entry: Hot Sausage Dumplings with Thai Peanut Sauce

*16 oz Jimmy Dean hot sausage
*3 Tablespoons soy sauce
*2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
*1 Tablespoon sesame oil
*2 bunches green onion (use the white part and 2” of the green), finely chopped
*2 Tablespoons chopped ginger, peeled and finely chopped
*2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
*2 Tablespoons sherry
*1 egg white in a small bowl
*32 wonton wrappers
*1/4 cup peanut butter
*1/4 cup coconut milk
*1 teaspoon brown sugar
*2 Tablespoons soy sauce
*1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
*cilantro leaves for garnish

To assemble dumplings… mix first 8 ingredients until well combined. Mound a teaspoon of sausage filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Using your finger or small brush, paint egg white along the outside edges of each wrapper. Fold the wonton wrapper over the filling to make a stuffed triangle and pinch the edges firmly to close.

To steam dumplings…generously oil bottom of colander-steamer insert and bring a few inches of water to a boil in pot so that bottom of insert sits above water. Arrange 10 dumplings, about 1/2 inch apart, in insert and steam over moderate heat, covered, until dough is translucent and filling is just cooked through, about 6 minutes.

To make sauce…in a microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter, coconut milk, brown sugar, soy sauce and rice vinegar. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Serve peanut sauce with dumplings and garnish with cilantro.