Mushroom Tofu Jiaozi Chinese Dumplings Recipes

MUSHROOM DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ginger and garlic. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add bamboo shoots, brown mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, and tofu. Sprinkle the salt over those ingredients. Cook and stir until the mushrooms release their liquid, that liquid evaporates, and the mixture is nearly dry, about 7 minutes. Add the Shaoxing wine and soy sauce and stir, scraping up any bits that are stuck to the skillet, for 1-2 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.
• Transfer the filling mixture from the skillet or a plate to cool. You can stir the mixture to speed this process up. Once the mixture is no longer steaming, stir in the green onion, nutritional yeast, and sesame oil.
• Set up a dumpling wrapping station with the bowl of filling, a small spoon, a small bowl of water, the stack of dumpling wrappers, and a plate or tray to hold the finished dumplings. Place a damp paper towel over both the dumpling wrappers and the finished dumplings so they don't dry out.
• Wrap the dumplings one at a time. Hold the wrapper in your left hand and use your right hand to spoon an appropriate amount of filling and place it in the center of the wrapper. Put the spoon down and carefully use your right hand to fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges of the wrapper together as shown. Press firmly so that the wrapper binds together at this point. Then use both hands, as you like, to press the edges together to seal the filling inside. You can form pleats if you want, but they are not necessary. If the first wrapper does not bind to itself very well, you can dip your right index finger in the bowl of water and use it to moisten the edge of the wrapper. Throughout the process, be careful not to let any of the filling get too close to the edge of the wrapper.
• Once all the dumplings have been wrapped, you can either freeze them or cook them.
• To cook the dumplings, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the dumplings in a single layer. Cook until the bottom side turns golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the dumplings, add 2 tablespoons water, and cover. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the bottom turns golden brown.
• Depending on how many dumplings you make and on the size of your skillet, you may need to fry them in batches.
• The method for cooking frozen dumplings is the same as above, but you'll need to add more water, about 1/4 cup, and steam them covered for longer, 5-6 minutes total.

MUSHROOM TOFU JIAOZI (CHINESE DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Boil water and revive the mushrooms by putting them in a capped container with the hot water. When they're revived, cut them into small strips.
• Soften the bean thread noodles with some hot water.
• Use the remaining hot water to blanch the mung bean sprouts.
• Cut up the tofu into small (7mm square) cubes.
• Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, except for the wrappers. Optionally add a beaten egg to make it stick together better.
• Make the dumplings: put a small quantity of this mixture in dumpling wrappers, and then pinch the sides together, sometimes a little cold water will help them stay stick together.
• Boil a pot of water and throw small batches of the dumplings into the water. They're ready when they float. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon or strainer and then make another batch. Excess dumplings can be frozen.