Hello everyone! Happy Chinese New Year; I hope you take a little time to learn about Chinese culture today and maybe even try your hand at making steamed mushroom dumplings! Today is the first day of the Lunar Calendar and also the year of the Fire Rooster. “In Chinese astrology, each zodiac year is not just associated with an animal sign, but also one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth.”(1) People born in the year of the Fire Rooster are considered to be trustworthy and have good time management. Seem like reliable folks! Contrary to what I assumed, your Zodiac year is supposed to be the most unlucky year in the cycle for you! So sorry Roosters, I hope 2017 doesn’t bring you too much bad luck.

The 12 zodiac animals were picked very carefully and went through multiple revisions. The ox, pig, horse, rooster, dog and goat are common domesticated animals amongst the Chinese and the tiger, monkey, rat, dragon, rabbit and snake are loved by their people. The animals are organized in a fixed order according to the Chinese Yin and Yang Theory and the animals perceived attributes. The yin and yang of animals is based on the odd or even number of claws, toes or hoofs they have, yang being odd and yin even. The rat as four toes on its fore legs and five on its hind legs so based off of the Chinese saying, “a thing is valued in proportion to its rarity” the rat is first amongst the 12 zodiac animals. And since yang (odd) is dominant the rat is classified as yang. This is a characteristics chart of the zodiac animals from China Highlights, which is where I got this information! You will notice that the characteristics next to each other are opposites, concurrent with the Yin and Yang Theory. (2)

Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together and celebrate, so naturally there is going to be food! The New Year’s Eve dinner is considered the most important one of the year. Dumplings are considered a lucky food to eat and are supposed to bring wealth, and mushroom dumplings in particular are supposed to bring wealth and luck. I know I could use some luck this year! Mushrooms are shaped like an arrow pointing up; a symbol of stock market growth, progress, and increased quality of life. (3) I decided to go with steamed mushroom dumplings to keep them healthier than their fried counterparts!

Dumplings have a rich Chinese history and go back over 1,800 years. History says that dumplings originated from Zhang Zhongjing the “Medicine Saint”. He lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty about 1800 years ago. One winter, when returning to his home town, Zhang Zhongjing observed several people with frostbitten ears. He decided to stuff dough with mutton, chili and warming medicinal herbs and fold them into the shape of an ear. He boiled them and gave them to the poor. All of the ingredients were intended to warm the bodies of the poor and help thaw their ears. The foods original name was Jiao’er (tender ears) for its shape, but that evolved to Jiaozi. Zhang would cook them and feed them to the poor from the day of Winter Solstice to New Year’s Eve when the villagers were recovered. It is still a very common Winter food in most parts of northern China, a symbol or home and warmth. (4)

These particular steamed mushroom dumplings are nontraditional in that they have tofu. However, tofu was first recorded as being eaten in China and around the same time as dumplings were. Perhaps they were indeed put in dumplings, I’m not sure, but the tofu adds a nice meaty texture and added protein!

Forming the dumplings definitely takes some time, but making the filling and steaming them comes together so quickly. If you get a couple of hands in the kitchen to form these steamed mushroom dumplings you will be eating them in no time! Here is a video for making your own vegan dumpling wrappers. I have not been able to find any dumpling wrapper or won ton wrapper brands that are ethically sourced or vegan so I just suggest making your own.

References:

1. http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/rooster.htm
2. http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
3. http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/chinese-dumplings.htm
4. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/food/2014-01/23/content_17253836.htm
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phYxNe-PnqM

Kelsey

Yields 24 dumplings

8 dumplings

Vegan Steamed Mushroom Dumplings

Vegan steamed mushroom dumplings. Satisfying, flavorful and protein filled! Great for Chinese New Year or an appetizer this Super Bowl!

45 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

1 hr, 5 Total Time

Save Recipe

Print Recipe

My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

Dough:
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 just boiled hot water
• cornstarch for dusting
• OR 1 package of wonton or dumpling wrappers
Filling:
• 1 long carrot grated
• 1 baby bok choy cut into ribbons
• 7oz firm tofu
• 1/2 portobello mushroom finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 bundle green onion finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil, plus extra for cooking
• 2 tsp grated ginger
Sauce:
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sriracha
• 1 tsp sesame oil
Garnish:
• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Prepare the dumpling wrappers if making them from scratch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phYxNe-PnqM
2. Put the tofu in a cheese cloth or thin towel and wring out as much moisture as possible.
3. Combine all the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl except for the garlic, carrot and mushroom.
4. Heat about 1 Tbsp of sesame oil on medium high heat in a medium sauce pan.
5. Toss on the garlic and cook until fragrant.
6. Toss the mushrooms and carrots into the pan until the mushrooms start to shrink down.
7. Take the cooked ingredients off the heat and add them to the rest of the filling.
8. Put a rounded tsp of filling in each dumpling wrapper, line the edges with water and seal them up.
9. Steam the dumplings for about 10 minutes for homemade wrappers and 2 minutes for store bought wrappers or according to the package.
10. Mix soy sauce, sriracha and sesame oil for the dipping sauce.

Notes

Feel free to adjust ingredients to your tastes, these are just guidelines

7.8.1.2

11

https://www.getculturedkitchen.com/vegan-steamed-mushroom-dumplings/

Get Cultured Kitchen