I’m not vegan, but I have plenty of vegan friends, and I like to spoil them sometimes with delicious vegan food. This time, I made vegan dumplings. For the ingredients, I basically used the same recipe as my non-vegan dumplings, but I replaced the meat with tofu and skipped the egg. Make sure to remove all the water from the tofu. You can do this by gently pressing all sides of the tofu with paper towels until all the water is absorbed. To ensure the filling stays firm, I doubled the amount of cornstarch I used. Dumplings are one of the most beloved dishes among my loved ones. It’s a dish they ask me to make on repeat, and trust me, you won’t stop eating them after the first bite. They’re just so addictive! Besides that, this is a dish that brings people together. You can gather around the table with your loved ones, wrapping dumplings while chit-chatting. My man and I also use dumpling-making activities to cheer up our broken-hearted friends. We would invite them to sit with us to wrap dumplings together, so they get distracted from their sadness 🙂

Dumpling-Making Tips for Perfect Results

1. Use Cold Water for Dough: If you want to make your own dough from the scratch, it is pretty simple yet time consuming. When making dumpling dough, use cold water if you’re boiling or steaming the dumplings. Cold water helps create a dough that’s easy to handle and holds its shape better.
2. Don’t Overfill: Avoid overstuffing your dumplings, especially if you are just learning making dumplings. A small spoonful of filling is enough. Overfilled dumplings are harder to seal and may burst during cooking.
3. Keep Wrappers Covered: Dumpling wrappers can dry out quickly. Keep them covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent them from becoming brittle and difficult to fold.
4. Seal Tightly: Make sure the edges are sealed tightly to avoid the filling leaking out during cooking. You can use a bit of water or beaten egg along the edge to help seal them.
5. Create Pleats for Better Sealing: If you’re making dumplings with pleats, the extra folds help secure the filling and give the dumplings a traditional look.
6. Cook Straight from Frozen: If you’ve frozen your dumplings, cook them directly from frozen. Thawing them first can make them soggy and cause them to stick together.
7. Test a Single Dumpling First: Before wrapping all your dumplings, cook one to test the filling for seasoning. This way, you can adjust the flavour if needed.
8. Avoid Overcooking: Dumplings only need to be cooked until the filling is done and the wrappers are tender. Overcooking can cause the wrappers to become too soft and fall apart.
9. Use a Non-Stick Pan for Frying: When pan-frying, use a non-stick pan to prevent the dumplings from sticking. A bit of oil goes a long way in creating a crispy bottom.
10. Serve with Dipping Sauce: Enhance the flavour of your dumplings by serving them with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, or your favourite condiments.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to make perfect dumplings every time! 😀

Now you know how to make dumplings. Since I always make dumpling on big batches, to keep dumplings fresh for later, here are my dumplings storage methods:

1. Storing Uncooked Dumplings:

• Freezing: Place uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they don’t touch. Freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Cook them straight from frozen without thawing.

2. Storing Cooked Dumplings:

• Refrigeration: Place cooked dumplings in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them by steaming or pan-frying to avoid them becoming soggy.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze cooked dumplings the same way as uncooked ones. Reheat directly from frozen by steaming or microwaving.

3. Reheating Dumplings:

• Steaming: Place frozen or refrigerated dumplings in a steamer for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
• Pan-frying: Heat a bit of oil in a pan, add the dumplings, and cook until the bottoms are crispy. Add a splash of water, cover, and steam until fully heated.
• Microwaving: Place dumplings on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave in short intervals until warm.

Trust me, by following my tips, your dumplings will stay fresh and delicious whenever you’re ready to enjoy them! 🙂