1. Gather all the ingredients: dumpling wrappers, filling (such as pork, beef, shrimp, vegetables or a combination of these), cooking oil and dipping sauce.

2. Prepare the filling: chop the meat and vegetables into small pieces and mix them together in a bowl. Add salt, pepper and other seasonings to taste.

3. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each wrapper. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water or egg white to help seal it shut when folding.

4. Fold the dumplings into desired shapes (such as crescent moon or potsticker). Crimp tightly to ensure that no filling leaks out during cooking.

5. Heat a pan over medium-high heat with some cooking oil until hot but not smoking; add dumplings in one layer (do not overcrowd). Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown on one side; reduce heat to low and add about ¼ cup of water (or enough to cover half way up sides of dumplings); cover pan with lid and steam for 5-7 minutes until cooked through; remove lid and cook for another minute or two until water has evaporated completely; transfer cooked dumplings onto plate lined with paper towel to absorb excess oil if desired before serving hot with favorite dipping sauce!