Vegetable Steamed Dumplings Recipes

VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger and sesame oil (if using) until the sugar dissolves. Cover and set aside.
• Make the filling for the dumplings: In another small bowl, stir together the scallions, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and ginger. Add 2 teaspoons canola oil to a large nonstick frying pan. Turn the heat to medium and warm up the oil for 2 minutes. Carefully add the cabbage, mushrooms and carrot and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the scallion mixture and stir to combine. Transfer the dumpling filling to a medium bowl and let cool to room temperature. Wipe out the pan or clean it if necessary.
• Once the filling has cooled, assemble the dumplings: Put 1 cup water in a medium bowl. Sprinkle a large rimmed baking sheet with 2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch, using your fingers to evenly distribute it.
• Lay 1 wonton wrapper on a clean work surface. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the dumpling filling in the center of the wrapper. Dip your fingers in the water and lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half (if using squares, fold the wrapper in half diagonally to form a triangle) and press the edges together to seal. Place the dumpling on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with additional wrappers and the remaining filling until you've used up all the filling. (At this point, you can freeze some of the dumplings in a single layer on the baking sheet. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Don't thaw them before cooking, but add a few minutes to the cooking time.)
• Cook the dumplings: Brush the same frying pan with 2 teaspoons canola oil, set the pan over medium heat and warm up the oil for 2 minutes. Adding one dumpling at a time but working quickly, dust off excess cornstarch and add as many dumplings as will comfortably fit in a single layer in the pan (don't crowd them or they won't cook evenly). Let cook (no stirring!) until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, gently flip the dumplings. Carefully pour about 1/2 cup water into the pan (it will bubble up and steam!). Cover and cook until the water is mostly absorbed, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the dumplings to a serving platter and cover lightly with aluminum foil to keep warm. Repeat to cook the remaining dumplings, brushing the pan with 2 teaspoons canola oil before each batch.
• Serve dumplings warm, with the dipping sauce.

VEGETARIAN STEAMED DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Cut the tofu in half horizontally and lay between layers of paper towels. Place on a plate, top with another plate, and place a weight on top (a 14-ounce can of vegetables works well). Let stand 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, cut the tofu into 1/4-inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the carrots, cabbage, red pepper, scallions, ginger, cilantro, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, egg, salt, and pepper. Lightly stir to combine.
• To form the dumplings, remove 1 wonton wrapper from the package, covering the others with a damp cloth.
• Brush the edges of the wrapper lightly with water.
• Place 1/2 rounded teaspoon of the tofu mixture in the center of the wrapper. Shape as desired.
• Set on a sheet pan and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat procedure until all of the filling is gone.
• Using a steaming apparatus of your choice, bring 1/4 to 1/2-inch of water to a simmer over medium heat.
• Spray the steamer's surface lightly with the non-stick vegetable spray to prevent sticking.
• Place as many dumplings as will fit into a steamer, without touching each other. Cover and steam for 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat.
• Remove the dumplings from the steamer to a heatproof platter and place in oven to keep warm.
• Repeat until all dumplings are cooked.

VEGETABLE STEAMED DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Cut the tofu in half horizontally and lay between layers of paper towels. Place on a plate, top with another plate, and place a weight on top (a 14-ounce can of vegetables works well). Let stand 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, cut the tofu into 1/4-inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the carrots, cabbage, red pepper, scallions, ginger, cilantro, soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, egg, salt, and pepper. Lightly stir to combine. To form the dumplings, remove 1 wonton wrapper from the package, covering the others with a damp cloth. Brush the edges of the wrapper lightly with water. Place 1/2 rounded teaspoon of the tofu mixture in the center of the wrapper. Shape as desired. Set on a sheet pan and cover with a damp cloth. Repeat procedure until all of the filling is gone. Using a steaming apparatus of your choice, bring 1/4 to 1/2-inch of water to a simmer over medium heat. Spray the steamer's surface lightly with the non-stick vegetable spray to prevent sticking. Place as many dumplings as will fit into a steamer, without touching each other. Cover and steam for 10 to 12 minutes over medium heat. Remove the dumplings from the steamer to a heatproof platter and place in oven to keep warm. Repeat until all dumplings are cooked.

STEAMED SHRIMP AND VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together all the minced vegetables. It is important that the vegetables are a very small dice because they are filling the small wontons.
• In a skillet, saute the shrimp in the oil until just about pink. I did not fully cook the shrimp because I feel that the steamer does the rest for me. But if you feel differently, by all means go ahead and cook the shrimp fully. The shrimp should also be chopped small, I like chopping them after they cook, it seems easier.
• Once the shrimp has cooled, add it to the minced vegetables and add the salt to season.
• Take each wonton square and add a small amount of filling to the center. take your index finger, wet it and trace it around the edge of each wonton (to create a seal for the wontons once they are pressed together.).
• Pinch each edge of the wontons so to make a triangle, then bring each of the three tips up together to create a bundle.
• Repeat steps four and five until you use up all the filling.
• Prepare your steamer with the water, heat it for a minute or so, and then lay the lettuce leaves on the bottom to prevent the dumplings from sticking.
• Steam the dumplings in batches for about 2-3 minutes, or until the wontons become translucent.
• Enjoy! They go well with soy sauce, however, I prefer the sweeter type sauce I get with the chinese take-out, so if you can find something like that to serve the dumplings with, I would suggest it.