Learn how to make a bevy of Asian dumplings with instructor Andrea Nguyen. (Photo courtesy of Craftsy)

There is both an art and a skill to meticulously folding, shaping and cooking all manner of precious little Asian dumplings.

I can’t think of any better teacher to learn from than my good friend and Asian food authority bar none, Andrea Nguyen.

After all, she knows Asian food like nobody’s business. She teaches dumpling-making classes regularly at Love Apple Farms in Santa Cruz. And she wrote the book, “Asian Dumplings” (Ten Speed Press).

Now, no matter where you live, you can learn from her, thanks to Craftsy.

The site offers online classes on everything from cooking to knitting to photography. Started by former eBay executives, it allows you to learn in the privacy of your own home and at your own speed, as you can watch the videos over and over, and even with friends and family. You can even ask questions of the instructors in a virtual classroom.

Andrea’s “Favorite Asian Dumplings from Scratch” includes eight lessons, from “Introduction to Dumplings” to “Making Shrimp Wontons” to “Japanese Pot Stickers” to “Korean Dumplings.” The complete package is $19.99.

Yes, you can make this. (Photo courtesy of Craftsy)

I had a chance to preview the class for free for this review. The videos have nice production values, like a cooking show you’d see on PBS. There are plenty of close-ups of the food, too, which not only get you hungry but help you follow along easily, especially when it comes to learning how to stuff and fold the dumplings. You’ll also learn where each of these dumplings originated and what makes each unique. Along the way, Andrea offers up stories of her love for dumplings and endless words of encouragement. Crafsy even allows you to share your new-found dumpling skills with your virtual classmates through the posting of your own photos and comments.

I’ve actually been lucky enough to stand alongside Andrea as she’s cooked in her own home kitchen. This video class is the next best thing to that.

CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win “Favorite Asian Dumplings from Scratch.” The best part about this contest is you can live anywhere in the world to enter.

How to win?

Just go to this link to enter the giveaway through noon PST Dec. 6. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Dec. 9.

WINNER OF LAST WEEK’S CONTEST: In the previous Food Gal contest, I asked you to tell me about something that really sticks in your craw. The winner will receive  a sample of Nudo Italia’s torrone,  plus a membership in the Darjeeling Adopt-A-Tea-Garden program that includes an “adoption certificate” plus one shipment of Golden Harvest Darjeeling tea.

A sample from the Darjeeling Adopt-A-Tea-Garden program. (Photo by Carolyn Jung)

Congrats to:

Faleen, who wrote, “My anger builder is the way some people assume that just because you are being nice to them by helping and doing things for them, that it is always to be expected. I live in a senior development. I am probably the youngest individual with a home here. I decided that some of the ladies here, whose husbands had passed away may need some help from time to time, even though there is a van that goes to a large mall once a week and to the market on another for no charge. The city also has a senior van that will take seniors anywhere to shop or for appointments for about $2 each way 7 days a week. I had driven this woman to her doctors appointments a few times and whenever she had to call the ambulance for her husband she would call me to keep her company in the ER as she was afraid to be there alone. When he became really ill i drove her to the hospital daily between 11am/12noon and stayed with her as perhaps her request between 6pm/7pm daily FOR OVER 4 MONTHS. Just A thank you would have been nice. And she is not the only one. For some reason since i am younger, i assume that they feel i am capable of doing any and everything for them including repairing windows, picking up specials at the market, taking them shopping for clothing etc. etc. and if i happen to say i cannot do it one time, i am suddenly a horrid person. It can be quite discouraging.”