Skill It: Perfect Gluten-Free Pot Stickers

1. Bring 3/4 cup water to a boil, then let it rest off heat for 1 minute to slightly cool. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the tapioca starch, millet flour, rice flour, and xanthan gum. Stir in the just-boiled water to create a crumbly, moist mixture.
   
2. Using your hands, work in up to 2 tablespoons cold water until a cohesive, smooth, but still somewhat wet dough forms. Put the dough into a ziplock plastic bag, squeeze out all of the air, and close.
   
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle the parchment with sweet rice flour.
4. Cut the dough into 4 equal portions. Keeping 3 portions sealed in the plastic bag to stay moist, roll 1 portion of the dough into a rope about 1 inch thick, then cut it crosswise into 8 equal pieces.
   
5. Dust the cut ends with sweet rice flour to prevent sticking. Pat each piece into a small disk. Dust your work surface with sweet rice flour to prevent sticking. With a rolling pin, roll out each disk into a very thin round 4 inches in diameter, dusting the rolling pin along the way.
6. Place about 2 teaspoons of filling in the center of each dough round. Fold the dough over the filling into a half-moon shape and pleat the edges together to close. If the wrapper is too dry to seal, dip a finger in water and lightly wet the edges before sealing. Place the pot stickers on the prepared baking sheet.
   
7. Repeat, one at a time, with the remaining three dough portions and the filling.
8. Lightly coat a large skillet (preferably nonstick) with oil and warm over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, add the pot stickers in one layer to cover the skillet surface. Very carefully, add 1/3 cup water and cover immediately to avoid oil splatter. Lower the heat and simmer 6 to 8 minutes. When the pot stickers begin to sizzle, partially uncover the skillet. When the frying begins to sound like rain, remove the lid. Fry the bottoms until crispy and brown. Transfer to a platter, browned sides up, and cover to keep warm until all of the pot stickers are fried. Serve with your dipping sauce of choice.
   

1. In a large bowl, toss the cabbage with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let rest for 15 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh strainer, rinse with water, and drain again. Squeeze the cabbage to remove more moisture.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cabbage, garlic, ginger, green onions, pork, and shrimp and lightly mash so the ingredients start to form a filling.
3. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 teaspoon salt, the sugar, pepper, soy sauce, sake, and sesame oil and pour over the cabbage mixture. Stir and fold the mixture until the pork is no longer in large chunks. Briskly stir to blend into a cohesive, thick mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before using to allow the flavors to develop.

GYOZA DIPPING SAUCE

1. MAKES ABOUT 1/2 CUP In a small bowl, stir together 5 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce, 2-1/2tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili oil. Serve with a small side of Japanese hot mustard or Colman’s mustard.

1. In a small bowl, toss the zucchini with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, whirl the kimchi until finely chopped, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer to a mesh strainer and firmly press with a spatula to remove additional liquid. Place the drained kimchi into a bowl.
3. Drain the zucchini in a mesh strainer, rinse with water, and drain again. Transfer the zucchini to a linen or cotton (not terry cloth) kitchen towel and wring the zucchini in the towel to remove any excess moisture. Add the zucchini to the bowl with the kimchi.
4. Squeeze the tofu in the same kitchen towel over the sink to remove excess moisture. Add the now-crumbled tofu to the kimchi mixture, using the dull edge of a knife or a dough scraper to remove the tofu from the towel, if needed. Add the green onions and garlic and stir to combine. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the pepper, sugar, and sesame oil and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

MANDU DIPPING SAUCE

1. MAKES ABOUT 1/2 CUP In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce, 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and any of these optional additions: 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds; 1 small green onion, white and green parts, thinly sliced; and 1/2 Fresno or jalapeño chile, thinly sliced. Let the sauce rest at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.

1. Place the mushrooms in a small bowl, pour the warm water over them, and let sit until softened, at least 30 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a cutting board, reserving the soaking liquid. Discard the mushroom stems and chop the caps.
2. Put the spinach in a large heatproof bowl, pour boiling water over the spinach, and let the leaves wilt for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again, then squeeze out any excess moisture with your hands.
3. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, the salt, white pepper, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Set the sauce aside.
4. In a wok or large skillet over medium heat, warm the canola oil. Add the ginger and stir-fry until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms, spinach, carrot, and tofu. Stir to combine and then add the sauce. Stir-fry until a small amount of liquid remains, about 2 minutes. Stir the cornstarch mixture, then add it to the wok. When the mixture thickens, turn off the heat and add the green onions. Cool completely before use.

TANGY SOY DIPPING SAUCE

1. MAKES ABOUT 1/2 CUP Stir together 1/3 cup gluten-free soy sauce, 2-1/2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon sugar, and 1 to 3 teaspoons chili oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Right before serving, stir in 1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger for extra punch.