| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 200 | 8g | 1g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 4g | 10g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Chinese Vegetarian Four Happiness Dumplings
From my Creole roots in Louisiana, explosions of flavors have always been my fondness. Whether it’s the warmth of a classic étouffée or the sweetness of beignets, I find joy in playing around with flavors and textures. Yet, even amidst this world of rich tastes, I find there’s always space to explore beyond the familiar, to experiment with the new and delicious. My latest love is a dish that echoes the concept of ‘four happiness’ in Chinese culture – Vegetarian Four Happiness Dumplings.
A Distilled Affection for Chinese Cuisine
These little bites are intricately crafted packets of flavor, brimming with the combined savory goodness of tofu, napa cabbage, and shiitake mushrooms. They’re an homage to the traditional Chinese practice of using contrasting ingredients to create a harmonious culinary encounter.
My fascination with Chinese cuisine, and especially with dumpling-making, was initially sparked by world-renowned chef Ken Hom. His philosophy of incorporating diverse textures and flavors in one meal was a resounding echo of the general ethos in my own Creole food tradition. His work has inspired me to create a fusion of tastes that represent both my roots and my passion for exploring other food cultures.
A Treat Worth the Effort
Creating these Vegetarian Four Happiness Dumplings involves a meticulous process. One is lead through an act of love, carefully chopping, sautéing, and gently enclosing the flavorful stuffing into delicate wrappers. However, the task promises a satisfying payoff with each bite – it’s a burst of umami with an undertone of earthiness, rounded off by the freshness of green onions and bamboo shoots.
These dumplings are perfect as a standalone dish, but they’re also versatile companions for variety. From a simple bowl of Egg Fried Rice to a steamy hot Hot and Sour Soup, they blend well with many other Chinese favorites.
The joy of making these appetizing treasures is akin to the joy of sharing them with the people around me. Every recipe I share on ‘Your Gourmet Guru’ is more than just a set of instructions – it’s a part of my love affair with food. And this recipe, dear reader, is a love letter to Chinese cuisine, handcrafted with admiration and curiosity.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of chopped napa cabbage
- 1 cup of chopped shiitake mushrooms
- 1 cup of chopped firm tofu
- 1 cup of chopped carrots
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of chopped bamboo shoots
- 30-40 vegan dumpling wrappers
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for frying
- 1/4 cup of water for steaming
- Soy sauce and vinegar for dipping
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, firm tofu, and carrots. Finely chop the green onions and bamboo shoots. Set them aside.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine the chopped napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, firm tofu, and carrots. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, finely grated fresh ginger, finely chopped green onions, and chopped bamboo shoots. Mix everything together until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step Three
Take a vegan dumpling wrapper and spoon a small amount of the mixture into the center. Fold the dumpling wrapper in half over the filling, making sure to seal the edges tightly. Repeat this process until all the filling is used.
Step Four
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add a few dumplings to the pan (being careful not to overcrowd). Fry the dumplings until they are golden brown on the bottom, roughly 2-3 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step Five
Pour the water into the pan and cover immediately to steam the dumplings until the water has evaporated, about 2-3 minutes. Repeat the frying and steaming process for the remaining dumplings.
Step Six
Serve these delicious Vegetarian Four Happiness Dumplings warm, with soy sauce and vinegar for dipping. Enjoy!
