I think there is a common misconception that you need meat in order for dumplings to be tasty, and that is definitely not the case! Vegetarian dumplings can also be darn tasty. Let me show you how.
TOFU FILLING
I love using tofu as a filling for my vegetarian dumplings. Crumbled tofu, like you see in the photo above, is the perfect texture for dumpling filling. The moisture from tofu helps bind the filling together. That way, you don’t have to worry about filling falling all over the place when you make dumplings. Plus, tofu is inexpensive! I like using House Foods’ firm tofu for making dumplings because it crumbles easily. Typically, I break the block of tofu into pieces and squeeze them with my hands until the tofu crumbles. I also like the mouth feel of the filling when I use the House Foods’ firm tofu. Before you make the filling, you’ll need to press the tofu for about 20 minutes to get rid of excess moisture. I usually wrap it around a muslin square and press the tofu block between plates. You don’t need too many plates on top of the tofu block when pressing. Two or three plates should do the job.
VEGETABLES FOR THE TOFU & KIMCHI DUMPLINGS
To give these dumplings flavor, I paired the tofu with kimchi. The tofu helps mellow out the flavors of the kimchi. When you are preparing the filling, make sure to chop the kimchi into small pieces, like you see in the photo above (left). I also added shallots, shredded carrots, ginger, garlic, and scallions to round out the filling. The filling is spicy, sweet, and savory—it is the perfect balance of flavor!
PLEATING METHOD
CAN I MAKE THE DUMPLINGS AHEAD?
YES! If you want to make a batch of these to enjoy later, freeze the dumplings! You do not need to defrost the dumplings before cooking them. They’ll just need a few extra minutes on the pan before they start to brown. Check out my post on how to freeze dumplings for more tips!
LOOKING FOR MORE DUMPLING RECIPES?
Vegetable PotstickersTofu Wontons with Yellow Curry BrothRed Curry Tofu DumplingsYou can also check out my complete dumpling archives here
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by House Foods. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep me inspired in the kitchen! To stay up to date with House Foods or to get recipe inspiration, visit their website or follow them on Facebook or Instagram!
