I don’t even know who I am anymore. These delicious homemade Chinese Vegetable Dumplings (Jiaozi / 餃子) — filled with sautéed snow pea leaves, Chinese chives, shiitake mushrooms and tofu — are challenging all my fundamental, life-long dumpling beliefs! You see, I have always been very particular about dumplings. The dumpling skin must have a nice chewiness and the filling must be flavourful with the proper mouth-feel when you bite into it. I grew up eating and making lots and lots of a classic Shanghai style dumpling filled with bok choy, ground pork and sometimes shrimp. All of my life, I considered that recipe superior to all other dumplings. Hands down, by a landslide, without a shred of doubt, forever and ever, amen. Veggie dumplings? Pssssssft. Not even a contender. Why bother? Never had a veggie dumpling that I loved and was worth the trouble. UNTIL NOW…
Read moreAvocado Veggie Rainbow Rolls + Tangy Tahini Dipping Sauce
I generally abhor salad prep. I love to eat salad. But the prep, no. So much washing and spinning and trimming and seeding and cutting. But these rolls and the dipping sauce. Oh I'll do it for them. They are one of my favorite ways to eat a load of vegetables in one sitting. The filling can be quite versatile. The only 'formula' (for me) is the inclusion of buttery avocado + crunchy carrots + refreshing cucumber + something leafy. Beyond that, almost anything goes.
Read moreShanghai Pork + Bok Choy Wontons / Dumplings
Che vey! That's shanghainese for "eat rice" which is like saying "bon appetit" before you begin a meal. These words were most frequently uttered around my grandmother's dinner table. She was the one who created the shanghai wonton loving monster that I am. Sometimes when we are feeling decadent (not lazy), we also add a tiny morsel of raw white shrimp in with the filling. Homemade dumplings are a labor of love but so very worth it. Put some great music on and make them asap!
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