Dumplings with meat and cabbage with Ponzu dipping sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 250 g of minced pork
• 1 slice of bacon, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded Chinese cabbage napy
• 1.5 tsp peeled grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• Coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 clove of garlic, finely grated
• 1/2 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp corn or potato starch
• 1/2 cup chopped chives (about 2 small bunches)
• 36 round flatbreads of unleavened dough for vareniki (if frozen, defrost)
• 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil

For the dipping sauce:

• 3 tbsp. l. lemon Ponzu sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
• 1 green onion, chopped

Preparation:

1. Lightly beat 1 egg in a large bowl. Add the ground beef, bacon, cabbage, onion, ginger, sesame oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
2. Whisk the remaining 1 egg in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Place 1 tortilla on a clean surface (cover the remaining tortillas with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out).
   
   Scoop 1 teaspoon of the filling into the center of the dumpling. Dip your fingers in the egg mixture and brush the edges of the dumpling. Fold the dumpling in half and pinch the edges to seal, then place on a plate. Cover with a damp towel while you prepare the remaining dumplings.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in three batches, add the vareniki to the skillet in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 30 minutes per side.
   
   Add 2/3 cup water to the pan, cover, and cook for another 3 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until all the liquid has evaporated and the dumplings are crispy (about 2 more minutes).
   
   Using a spatula, transfer the vareniki from the pan to a serving dish. Add another 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan between each batch.
4. Let's prepare the Ponzu dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons lemon Ponzu sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 chopped green onion.