Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- For the Soup Base: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add the red curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices.
- Add the cubed sweet potato and sliced bell pepper to the pot, stirring to coat in the paste.
- Pour in the broth, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the sweet potato is tender.
- Stir in the coconut milk, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Finish by stirring in the lime juice and tasting for salt. Set aside.
- For the Dumplings: While the soup simmers, combine the ground meat, green onions, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sesame oil, 1 teaspoon ginger, and 1 clove minced garlic in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
- Place a heaped teaspoon of filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Moisten the edges with water, fold in half to create a half-moon, and press firmly to seal, ensuring no air pockets. Optionally, bring the two corners together to form a tortellini shape. Place on a lightly floured plate.
- To Assemble and Serve: Bring the soup back to a very gentle simmer. Carefully place the dumplings one by one on the surface of the soup (do not submerge).
- Cover the pot tightly and let the dumplings steam in the soup for 8-10 minutes, until cooked through and floating.
- Ladle the soup into deep bowls, ensuring each serving gets broth, vegetables, and dumplings. Garnish with fresh cilantro, Thai basil, sliced chili, and serve with extra lime wedges.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace the ground meat with a mix of finely chopped mushrooms and crumbled firm tofu, and use vegetable broth. Add spinach or kale just before serving for extra greens. Curry paste heat varies by brand; start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste. If a dumpling wrapper tears, patch it with another wrapper. Pre-made frozen dumplings are a great time-saving shortcut. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the dumplings are best when freshly steamed.
