Thai-Style Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings Recipe

Name: Vegetarian Thai Steamed Dumplings with Shiitake Mushrooms
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 package round dumpling wrappers (frozen, or substitute regular wonton wrappers ); 1 banana leaf (for steaming, available frozen at most Asian food stores); For the Filling:; 3 cups fresh shitake mushrooms (sliced); 1 cup tofu (cubed, medium-firm, about 2/3 of a package); 1 to 2 inch piece galangal (or ginger, sliced); 3 to 4 cloves garlic; 2 spring onions (sliced); 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (leaves and stems, chopped); 1/4 tsp. white pepper; 3 tbsp. soy sauce; 2 tbsp. sesame oil; 1 tsp. chili sauce (or more if you want them spicy); 1/4 cup vegetarian chicken stock (or vegetable stock ); For the Dumplings:; 1 to 2 tsp. cornstarch (or flour, as needed for dusting plate); Garnish: soy sauce

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 45 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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For a vegetarian savory treat, try these delicious Thai steamed dumplings made with a shiitake mushroom and tofu filling. It's hard to believe these dumplings are vegetarian, they taste so much like the pork dumplings you might have from a Chinese dim sum restaurant.

Wonton wrappers work for this recipe, but if you can find round dumpling wraps (in the frozen section of Asian food stores or well-stocked grocery stores) your dumplings will be even more delicious. Just be sure to remove from the freezer about two hours before cooking to thaw. Quickly make the filling in a food processor, then just wrap and steam. Serve with soy and/or chili sauce and enjoy!

1 package round dumpling wrappers, frozen, or substitute regular wonton wrappers
1 banana leaf, for steaming, available frozen at most Asian food stores

For the Filling:

3 cups fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 cup cubed tofu, medium-firm, about 2/3 of a package
1 (1- to 2-inch piece) galangal, or ginger, sliced
3 to 4 cloves garlic
2 spring onions, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and stems, chopped
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili sauce, or more if you want them spicy
1/4 cup vegetarian chicken stock, or vegetable stock

For the Dumplings:

1 to 2 teaspoons cornstarch, or all-purpose flour, as needed for dusting plate
Soy sauce, for garnish

Remove dumpling wrappers and banana leaf from freezer. The dumpling wrappers will need at least 2 hours to thaw before using. Allow banana leaf to thaw at least 30 minutes.
Prepare a steamer by lining it with 1 or 2 layers of banana leaf (to keep dumplings from sticking). Use a traditional bamboo steamer set over a pot of boiling water, or a colander with a tight-fitting lid.
Place all filling ingredients together in a food processor and process until very finely chopped, but not a paste.
Lay 6 dumpling wrappers out at once over a clean work surface. Also have ready a small bowl of water for sealing the dumplings.
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the filling in the middle of each wrapper. Then dip your fingers (or a pastry brush) in the water and moisten all around the outside of the wrapper.
Bring the sides of the wrapper up over the filling and press together to seal. If it doesn't seal, moisten the edges with a little more water. Pinch along the seam to create a decorative edge.
Set the finished dumplings on a plate dusted with cornstarch or flour. Steam the dumplings right away, or cover and refrigerate up to 3 hours.
To steam, place the dumplings in the banana leaf-lined steamer (they can be touching) and steam over high heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until mushrooms are well cooked.
Serve with soy sauce and Nam Prik Pao chili sauce.

Pan-Fried Dumplings

For chewier pan-fried dumplings (goyza- or pot-sticker-style), set a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and briefly fry the steamed dumplings to brown the bottom and sides. They brown very quickly, so pay attention! This step only takes a few extra seconds but makes the dumplings extra delicious.

Make Ahead of Time

If making for company, steam the dumplings ahead of time. Then cover and place in the refrigerator. When your company arrives, re-steam on high heat for 5 minutes and serve. Leftover cooked dumplings can also be frozen. Thaw before cooking, then steam and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
577	Calories
20g	Fat
66g	Carbs
32g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	577
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 5g	23%
Cholesterol 89mg	30%
Sodium 2200mg	96%
Total Carbohydrate 66g	24%
Dietary Fiber 5g	18%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 10mg	51%
Calcium 290mg	22%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 724mg	15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.