This is my first Instructable. Hope you like it!
This Instructable will shows you how to make traditional Chinese dumplings... PIE STYLE!!! These can be a little messy but easy and simple in the making. They are delicious and pretty neat once they're done. These are great for parties, gifts or just wolfing down by yourself! Also if you're looking for a challenge, make the filling and crust and go to step 6 for how to make samosa pies!!! If you already have a favorite pie crust recipe or have some pre-made, skip to step 3, and if you want to make the pie any flavor other than mixed-berries (This one tastes great though), make the crust, use your favorite filling (same proportions as a full-size pie) and skip to step 4. I use whole wheat flour in this recipe for the crust, but it would probably be easier to use all purpose flour or to buy it from the grocery store. The egg whites are optional but give the pies a shiny look. Here is the dumplings dish (The dipping sauce is extra liquid from the filling):

Step 1: Ingredients

Here are the ingredients for the type I'm making, which is mixed berries. You can make this recipe with almost any type of pie (pumpkin and a few others would be difficult), but I've tried it with strawberry rhubarb, peach, and apple. If you have a pre-made crust or filling or have a good recipe, skip all these ingredients except the last and go to step 4. If you want to make more, double or multiply this recipe. WARNING!!!: This recipe for crust makes enough for about 4-6 of these recipes (about 6-8 pie shells) and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer to have a continuous supply at hand.
For the Crust:
~ All purpose flour                  5 cups
~ Brown sugar                3 Tbsp.
~ Salt                        2 Tsp.
~ Baking Powder                    1 Tsp.
~ Butter, fairly cold    1 lb.
~ Egg                                      1
~ Vinegar                                2 Tbsp.
~ Cold water to fill               1 cup

For the Filling
~ Granulated or Brown          1 cup
Sugar
~ All purpose flour                 1/3 cup
~ Frozen or fresh                  4 cups
mixed berries
~ Lemon juice                        1 Tbsp.
~ Egg white to brush on
crusts (optional)                     1

Step 2: Making the Crust

Measure the flour, brown sugar, salt and baking powder into a large bowl and cut in the butter until the crumbs are the size of raisins.
Break the egg into a measuring cup, beat it with a fork and add the vinegar. Fill it up with water until it reaches one cup. Pour it in the flour mixture a little at a time and stir and toss with a fork until all liquid is drawn in. With your hands, toss the mixture and knead it until the crumbs are mostly gone. Combine it all into a ball and then divide it into four smaller balls. For the dumplings, keep 1-2 balls. Wrap the others in plastic bags and store in freezer for future recipes.

Step 3: Make the Filling

If using frozen berries, defrost in microwave first and drain out most of the liquid (save this for later for dipping sauce if you want). In a large bowl stir the sugar, flour and mixed berries together and let it stand for 10 minutes. Add in the lemon juice. If you find the mixture too watery, add a couple more spoons of flour.

Step 4: Dumplings

Now for the folding! Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°)C. It can be a little hard to keep the dumplings together, but try to use a fair bit of crust to wrap around the filling. You don't want to make them look lumpy from the berries or have holes everywhere. Firstly, on a floured surface, roll out one of the balls of pie crust with a rolling pin, until it is about 1/8 of an inch thick, flouring it frequently. Once it is all rolled out, take a container lid (about 4.5 inches or 12 cm in diameter), and trying to conserve space on the pie crust, press the container lid in to make circles. One by one (using a spatula or knife if needed), pick the circles up and place them beside the filling bowl and put small spoonfuls (about an inch in diameter) of filling in the middle of the crust. Fold it in half around the filling, and press the outside edges together with your fingers. Try to put in quite a bit of filling so it won't taste too much of crust. Do this all very gently to keep from creating holes in the dumplings, but if you happen to get any, patch them up with bits of crust. If you want to do half samosas and half dumplings, use half of the filling and then skip to step 6.

Step 5: Preparing for the Oven

Place the pies on a large baking tray covered with parchment paper. Once they are on, lightly press down the edges with a fork, not enough to make a noticeable mark, so they don't leak or open up while baking. Continue doing this and making more dumplings until the tray is full. If you want a shiny look, pour the egg white into a bowl and, using a pastry brush or your finger, gently spread it over the top of the dumplings. Place them in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start with, but watch them closely to prevent burning. Take them out when the edges are golden brown, and after letting them cool for a minute, transfer them to a wire rack or plate to cool, with your hands or a metal spatula. Serve hot straight from the oven, or cover and store in the fridge.

See steps six to eight for other special designs for your pies.

Step 6: Samosas

Here comes the hard part! Folding the samosas. If it isn't already done, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
It's not too hard once you get the hang of it. Roll out the crust until it is about 1/8 of an inch thick. Cut out circles 6-8 inches in diameter. They can be pressed out with butter or margarine lids. Cut each circle in half and place in a spoonful of filling, slightly larger than you would with the dumplings. Fold two sides of the dough over the filling (see picture) and press them together. Fold the bottom up and press it onto the previous folds to form a triangle.
Now you are done! That wasn't that hard. Place them on a baking tray covered in parchment paper and glaze all of them with egg whites. Put them in the oven for fifteen minutes to start, but it will probably need more time. Take them out when the sides are golden brown.

Step 7: Ode to Pi

And just to incorporate the Pi aspect, here is a π pie for you!
If you want to do this yourself, roll out the pie crust fairly wide, and, with a knife, cut out the Pi symbol in any size you want, but large enough to fit some filling into it. With aluminum foil, make a mold around the crust. Make sure the bottom is flat to prevent sticking. Take a tiny bit of filling and put filling away from the edges of the π, by at least 1/3 of an inch. Cut out another Pi symbol the same size as the last. Gently place it on top and press down the edges. Still in the foil, place the π on a tray and put it in the oven with the rest of your pies. Here's how it turned out:

Step 8: Enjoy!

You are now done! These can be served warm with ice cream, cold with whipping cream or just by themselves. These delicious treats are great for snacks at school or just eating if you feel like having some pie.You can assemble these in cool designs for a party platter like shown above. They also taste great warmed in the microwave for 15 seconds. As mentioned earlier, these are great party food and that's where these ones are going. Hope you and your friends enjoy this!

P.S. If you like this, please vote for it in the pie contest!

Thanks q[-_-]p