Boiled grains such as rice normally provide most of the calories in the modern Chinese diet. In the north, wheat is the preferred grain and dumplings, boiled or pan-fried, are a favourite food. Whole grain flour made from hard red wheat is the rule; freshly ground it makes delicious, healthy dumpling pastry.

Dumplings are made in Beijing restaurants and homes. Simple treats, I think they make a far better, more delicious meal than can be had at the more fancy restaurants t