dumplings

You pass this ingredient at the regular (not even Asian) supermarket more or less every time you go. You can find packs of 50 or so wonton wrappers in the refrigerator case, or possibly the freezer aisle, for about three bucks. They're one of the most hackable ingredients I've ever encountered, especially when it comes to lunch. 10 brand-new ways after the jump.

This dish began with a near-disaster. As guests were arriving at a party in Denver, I realized that the water I was going to cook the dumplings in wasn’t going to boil at our high altitude. What to do? I grabbed a paella pan, put it on the grill and added oil. I smashed – flattened – the shumai with a wet palm, then sautéed them until golden and crisp.

With only hours to go until the red carpet festivities commence, we thought we'd provide you with some recipes. Not forced movie-themed recipes like "Hugo's frenchified chicken nuggets," but what the stars of tonight will actually be eating