Gluten Free Dumplings: Feel Good Foods Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

PRODUCT NAME:                    Handmade Asian Style Shrimp Dumplings

BRAND:                                     Feel Good Foods

COST:                             $8.40

SIZE:                                           10.75 OZ 

COST PER OZ:                           $0.78             

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:        UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                  NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                      NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:           NO

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         NEW YORK, NEW YORK

SHELF LIFE:                                UNKNOWN

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.       

REVIEW:

After several dumpling dinners my friends have enjoyed and I have had to sit out from, I was excited for my chance to enjoy safe, gluten free shrimp dumplings at home. Feel Good Foods makes their handmade shrimp dumplings with a wrapper made of a blend of sweet rice flour, rice flour, potato starch, and corn starch, these dumplings were savory, chewy, and not too filling. Since my celiac diagnosis, I have been taking steps to wean myself off of an eight-year long vegetarian diet so I can have more food choices instead of less. I am still a bit squeamish about eating any meat or fish, and I found Feel Good Foods’ Shrimp Dumplings not overwhelmingly fishy. They combined the shrimp with vegetables and herbs, like carrot, green onion, ginger, garlic, and cilantro to make a savory, well balanced filling. The provided dipping sauce tasted like tamari with a bit of a kick. It was dressed up with a little added ginger, garlic, and black pepper to dress it up a little bit.

My only gripe with this product was the instructions for preparation. It says the dumplings should be placed in a non-stick pan with 3/4 of a cup of boiling water (which will turn milky in color and texture as the dumplings cook) where they would sit and steam with a lid on, for approximately 13 minutes. The water was supposed to evaporate. However, when I prepared the dumplings, the water never evaporated; instead it turned into a thick, white, glue-like paste. Upon second glance of the directions, I noticed this note, in small font below the instructions:

“For best results dumplings must be prepared in a non-stick pan.”

I was using my perfectly seasoned, slick cast iron frying pan, which I cook everything in. I grabbed a Teflon-coated pan from my cupboard, and scooped the dumplings, which had turned into gooey blobs, into the new pan. I fried the dumplings on all sides until they were golden brown, and managed to salvage the meal. I wish Feel Good Foods had explicitly instructed me to use a Teflon pan instead of a cast iron, because I consider my cast iron to be non-stick.

Taste:   These dumplings were salty, chewy, and flavorful. The filling, made of shrimp and vegetables was not too fishy or dense. I found these dumplings to be a perfect appetizer or main course.

Labeling: The front of the package stated that these dumplings were made with all natural and gluten free ingredients. The back has a symbol indicating that Feel Good Foods is part of the Celiac Spure Association, and the package is created with wind power. There is also information about the company, preparation instructions, an ingredients list, and nutrition facts.

Packaging:  

Eight dumplings were inside of a plastic bag housed inside of a cardstock box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:      3

Taste:           5

Value:          3           

OVERALL:    3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.