Time seems to speed up this time of year as we near the holidays. In preparation, I like to make and freeze a big batch of
Asian dumplings
Ingredients
12 ounces soybean sprouts (can substitute mung bean sprouts)
4 carrots, peeled and grated
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
Salt
1 (14-ounce) block firm tofu
2 cups cabbage kimchi
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 leek, thinly sliced
1/2 white onion, finely minced
2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced ginger
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
48 (4.5-inch) mandu, gyoza, or pot sticker wrappers (can substitute a larger quantity of smaller wrappers)
1 egg, beaten
Toasted sesame oil
Yangnyeomjang - Korean Seasoning Sauce for dipping
Instructions
Boil the bean sprouts with 1 cup of water until tender, about 15 minutes. Rinse under cold water and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Coarsely chop and squeeze out any excess liquid.
While the bean sprouts are boiling, prepare the carrots, tofu, and kimchi.
Sauté the carrots with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt until tender, about 2 minutes.
Place the tofu in a cheesecloth or dish towel and squeeze out the excess liquid.
Coarsely chop the kimchi and squeeze out the excess liquid. (Don't let the kimchi juice go to waste; save it for soups, marinades, or sauces.)
In a mixing bowl, combine the bean sprouts, carrots, tofu, kimchi, scallions, leek, onion, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, black pepper, a pinch of salt, and the remaining teaspoon of sesame oil. Mix and mash together (hands work best), taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Add the 2 beaten eggs and mix well.
To assemble the dumplings, place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. (Make sure not to overfill, or the dumplings may leak in cooking.) Dip your fingertip in the beaten egg and trace the edge of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper over to make a half-circle and pinch the edges together to seal.
To fry the dumplings, heat a little sesame oil in a pan over low heat. Working in batches, place the dumplings in a single layer in the pan, cover, and fry until golden on the bottom. Turn the dumplings over, add 1 teaspoon of cold water to the pan, and cover tightly. Continue cooking until golden on the other side. Serve with yangnyeomjang (Korean seasoning sauce) for dipping.
Dumplings can also be steamed or boiled in soups.
To freeze, place uncooked dumplings in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm. Turn the dumplings over and return to the freezer until completely frozen, then transfer to an airtight container or bag.
