Vegan Gyoza

This recipe takes some time, but is very worth the effort.  I like to make a large batch and freeze the gyoza individually then place them in a Ziploc bag.  This way you can take out what you need and cook them right out of the freezer for a quick and nutritious dish.  Everything should be chopped and ready to go before you start cooking.  Make sure you chop all veggies into small pieces so that they go in the filling quick and easily.

Aromatics: 

2 T minced fresh ginger

2 T minced fresh garlic

1 cup sliced green onions (white parts too)

1-3 jalapeno, or other fresh chili, minced

Place garlic and ginger in a small bowl and the peppers and scallions in another small bowl.

Seasonings:

2/3 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos or soy sauce

3 T peanut butter

Optional:

1 tsp. Chinese fermented black beans (minced very fine)

1 tsp. red chili flakes

Combine all ingredients and set aside

Filling:

2 cups diced yellow onions

2 cups diced celery

2 cups shredded carrots

8 cups shredded Napa cabbage

6 dried shitake mushrooms, soaked until soft

8-10 Chinese dried black mushrooms, soaked until soft (worth the effort, but not necessary to the dish…just use more dried shitakes)

½ cup peanuts (buy raw and roast yourself in a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes….keep an eye on them.

1 bundle Bean thread or cellophane noodles (just leave it out if you want) Dynasty makes one from mung beans – soak in warm water for 20 minutes

2 T mung bean starch

3 T cold water

Frozen gyoza wrappers…try to find Haitai Brand of sweet rice dumpling wrappers, as they do not contain corn starch or corn products.

1 T sesame oil

1 T canola or peanut oil

Heat a wok or large skillet to medium high, add sesame oil and canola or peanut oil and heat to medium high.  Add the ginger and garlic and reduce heat to medium.  Cook until fragrant but do not brown, then add the onions.  Cook the onions until they become translucent and fragrant, some browning at this point is fine, about 3 or 4 minutes.  Add the celery and carrots then toss and let stew for about 4 minutes stir occasionally.  Add the cabbage and mushrooms and let stew until the cabbage is translucent and juicy about 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.  The vegetables should cook down and steam in their own juices, do not rush them. 

Add peanuts and drained noodles to the mixture.  Stir in the seasonings and combine everything over medium heat.   Combine the starch and cold water and when the mixture is warm, drizzle the starch water over the vegetables.   Cook the vegetables further  so the filling turns thick and glossy, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Make sure to taste to make sure the starch has completely cooked and does not leave a floury aftertaste.

Spread the filling out on a sheet pan to cool completely.  Taste and adjust any seasonings at this time.  Place sheet pan in the refrigerator until completely cooled. 

Once the filling has cooled completely open your dumpling wrappers, keep them covered so they do not dry out.  Have a small bowl of warm water at your side.  One at a time, select a dumpling wrapper and slightly wet the outside edge with the water.  Use a tablespoon to place the filling in the center of the wrapper, then fold in half and pinch the top at the center to start closing the wrapper.  Then hold the dumpling from the pinched center and work your way from the corners to the center pinching the edges closed and flute slightly to keep the filling from escaping.  Do this on one side, and then the other until the wrappers are completely sealed. 

At this point, you can place the gyoza on the sheet pan and place in the freezer.  When they are completely frozen individually, place them in a Ziploc bag.  This way they will be easy take out what you need for a future meal.

Heat a frying pan to medium heat and add a Tbsp. NON-GMO canola oil or peanut oil to the pan and heat.  Cook the gyoza until golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.  If using frozen at this point, place in a microwave save container and cook on med-high until thawed and slightly cooked.  Then cook through as described above.