Tsukune – Tokyo Style Grilled Chicken Dumplings

 

1-1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 ounces chicken fat or fatty bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 scallions, both white and green parts, trimmed and thinly sliced crosswise

1 tsp. minced peeled fresh ginger

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1-1/2 tsp. coarse salt (kosher or sea)

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1/4 tsp. ground sansho pepper, or 1/8 tsp. each additional freshly ground black pepper and ground coriander

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 egg white

 

Place the chicken pieces, chicken fat or bacon, if using, scallions, ginger, black pepper, salt, coriander, sansho pepper, cornstarch, and egg white in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process the mixture to a coarse puree, running the processor in short bursts. Do not overprocess; the mixture should be lumpy—this is essential for the proper texture. Transfer the dumpling mixture to a bowl (or leave it in the processor bowl) and freeze it, covered, until firm, but not frozen, 20 to 30 minutes. Using a large spoon, scoop out a 1-1/2  inch ball of dumpling mixture and mold it onto the end of a skewer to make a flattish oval about 2 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1/2 inch thick. Place the skewer on a plate or baking sheet lined with plastic wrap. Repeat until all of the dumpling mixture is used up, wetting or oiling your hands as needed to prevent sticking. You should have 16 to 18 dumplings; refrigerate them, covered, for 1 to 2 hours. Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat it to high. When ready to cook, brush and generously oil the grill grate. Arrange the dumplings on the hot grate at a diagonal to the bars, placing the aluminum foil shield under the exposed ends of the skewers to keep them from burning. Grill the dumplings until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side, 6 to 8 minutes in all. Give each skewer a quarter turn after 1-1/2 minutes to create an attractive crosshatch of grill marks (it also helps the dumplings cook more evenly). Transfer the grilled dumplings to a platter and serve at once.